Research Training on Harnessing Data Science for Global Health Priorities in Africa
The Research Training on Harnessing Data Science for Global Health Priorities in Africa program brings together a multidisciplinary team with data science expertise to address health systems strengthening, food systems, climate change, and planetary health.
Research Training on Harnessing Data Science for Global Health Priorities in Africa
The Research Training on Harnessing Data Science for Global Health Priorities in Africa program (U2RTW012140), known as WASHA Takwimu or “Ignite Data” in Swahili, is a collaboration between Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in South Africa, and Heidelberg University in Germany and other ARISE network partners.
About the Research Training on Harnessing Data Science for Global Health Priorities in Africa Program
Program Goals
Advances in digital technology over the past two centuries have transformed science, health, and biomedical research. ‘Big’ data opportunities are fast becoming available with advances in data science and artificial intelligence (AI), and these have the potential to transform both research and health care in Africa.
For example, the analysis of real-world routine data can provide powerful insights to bridge the knowledge gap and contribute to the discovery of new solutions to some of Africa’s most pressing health challenges.
However, the use of health data sciences and related approaches on the African continent, including in research and policymaking, has been limited by a severe shortage of data scientists.
WASHA Takwimu aims to develop advanced health data science researchers in Africa to address the health needs of African countries, with UKZN as the hub and four partners (Spokes) in sub-Saharan Africa including, Nigeria (University of Ibadan), Uganda (Makerere University), Tanzania (Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences), and Ghana (University of Ghana).
This program trains and supports postdoctoral fellows and faculty members in health data science. The project will also develop a new Masters of Health Data Science program at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in South Africa.
WASHA Takwimu data science trainees and faculty at the Chan School in September 2024.
(Left to Right: Alice Mugisha, Heather Mattie, Wafaie Fawzi, Retius Chifurira, Faustin Habyarimana, Boikhutso Tlou, and Jovine Bachwenkizi)
Program Partners
Program Contact
Program Focus
WASHA Takwimu will provide training in the domains of health systems strengthening, food systems, climate change, and planetary health, as well as data science methods, through short courses and will provide postdoctoral fellows with opportunities to carry out research utilizing health data science methods in these areas.
Health systems strengthening
Data science has immense potential to generate new insight for healthcare and public health and to provide the foundations for new interventions and health systems reforms, and it can provide solutions to some of the problems that most vex health policy makers. Well-trained data scientists are needed to gain new insights that can underpin health systems interventions and reforms to improve population health.
Food systems, climate change and planetary health
Globally, food systems are failing to deliver nutritious and quality diets that are affordable for all, and poor food systems contribute to persistent undernutrition that affects 820 million people, and micronutrient deficiencies such as anemia that affect 1.9 billion people. There is a critical gap in our understanding of the complex pathways through which climate change and food systems interact to influence nutrition security and health outcomes.
