Identity & Mission

Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) is an independent, non-profit health research organization in Tanzania. Its mission is to advance health through research, innovation, and training, while also supporting implementation of programs that improve health outcomes. The institute envisions a healthy, empowered population with access to evidence-based health services and solutions.

History & Evolution

IHI began as a field laboratory in the 1950s and has grown into one of Africa’s leading health research institutions. It evolved through several stages—originally established with Swiss support, then rebranded over time until it officially became the Ifakara Health Institute in 2008.

The institute has expanded from its origins in Ifakara to include branches in Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo, Rufiji, and other locations, with the Bagamoyo Research & Training Centre becoming especially prominent for clinical trials and advanced laboratory research.

Structure & Branches

Dar es Salaam – Headquarters; handles administration, finance, ICT, human resources, and central coordination.

Ifakara Branch – The original site, with a strong focus on ecological, environmental, and biomedical research.

Bagamoyo Research & Training Centre (BRTC) – Specializes in clinical trials (drugs and vaccines), epidemiological research, and advanced laboratory science, including TB and malaria work.

Other Sites – Include Rufiji and Ikwiriri, supporting additional research and field activities.

Research & Program Focus

IHI works across multiple domains of health:

Infectious Diseases: Malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS research, including vaccine and drug trials.

Non-Communicable Diseases: Expanding work on chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions.

Health Systems Research: Strengthening healthcare delivery systems, implementation science, and policy translation.

Capacity Building: Training graduate students, running workshops, and providing technical assistance.

Program Implementation: Supporting community health programs, immunization initiatives, and innovative approaches to disease control.

Achievements

Recognized as one of Africa’s leading health research institutions.

Publishes a large number of scientific papers annually.

Influences national health strategies and policies in Tanzania.

Known for running clinical trials under international standards.

Challenges

Like many institutions in low- and middle-income countries, IHI faces:

Funding sustainability – maintaining long-term research without over-reliance on donors.

Balancing research and implementation – ensuring findings translate into practical health improvements.

Retention of skilled staff – keeping highly trained researchers in a competitive global market.

Infrastructure constraints – maintaining lab equipment and logistics in remote sites.

Regulatory and ethical processes – ensuring compliance with clinical trial standards.

Community engagement – building and sustaining trust in local populations where research is conducted.