Projects
The Institute for Global Public Health (IGPH, formerly the Centre for Global Public Health) has over 20 years of experience with program delivery in critical areas of public health, including HIV prevention and care, maternal, neonatal and child health, nutrition and adolescent health.
Project implementation
Our programs are based on research and sound evidence and we work hard to ensure that research is embedded as an integral part of the program cycle, so that we are continuously learning, refining and evolving.
Overview
The Institute builds on an established record of excellence in global public health program delivery.
Each step of program evolution adheres to the principles of key partnership, sustained engagement, and focus on community.
The program as whole consists of four critical core elements:
- technical collaboration
- research
- education
- program delivery
Focus areas
Areas of program focus have included HIV/AIDS, reproductive, maternal, neonatal and child health (RMNCH), nutrition, and a range of other public health domains.
Funding
Since 2008, we have received more than 60 grants for projects or programs from various funding agencies, including:
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research
- Grand Challenges
- United States Agency for International Development
- World Health Organization
- World Bank
The total value of these grants exceeds $300 million. They have supported different stages of the public health program cycle, including epidemic assessment, program design and delivery, scale-up, and program evaluation.
Where we work
We have established programs in the following countries and are now planning to deepen our efforts there:
- Canada
- India
- Kenya
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Ukraine
In the future, we also plan to expand into South America through collaboration in Peru.
Selection process
We chose the countries we work in because they face significant health challenges and inequities, especially among vulnerable populations. These countries also provide unique epidemiological, cultural, and social contexts that help us learn and adapt our approaches.
Additionally, our decision was influenced by the strong relationships we've developed with governments, non-governmental organizations, and communities over the past decade.
We are dedicated to maintaining these partnerships and building on our previous work.
Country programs / focus geographies
The Institute focuses on programs in core geographies where there have been important partnerships established and where there is already infrastructure and a portfolio of public health programs.
These focus geographies with country programs include:
- Africa (Kenya and Nigeria)
- India (Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh)
- Manitoba
- Pakistan
- Peru
- Ukraine
Within each focus geography, we support and develop research and education programs embedded in public health programs in partnership with governments, non-governmental organizations and academic institutions.
At the country or at the province/state level project directors lead specific projects under the supervision and direction of Regional Hubs.
Partnerships
Over the past two decades, we have identified and partnered with local organizations for implementation of projects. We have been instrumental in working with, engaging, and supporting local public health experts in developing and furthering the work of these institutions.
Currently, there are five local organizations that are key partners in our focus geographies, outlined below.
Centre for Global Public Health Pakistan
Based in:
Islamabad, Pakistan
Projects:
- HIV/AIDS
- Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health
How we work:
We collaborate with the Centre for Global Public Health Pakistan through a service and collaboration agreement, focusing on specific programs.
Established:
2012
Governance:
Private limited company
India Health Action Trust
Based in: Bangalore and New Delhi, India
Projects: India Health Action Trust (IHAT) has projects focused on Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health, and nutrition.
How we work: We collaborate with India Health Action Trust (IHAT) through a service and collaboration agreement, partnering on specific programs and providing technical assistance for projects executed by IHAT.
Established: 2003
Governance: Governed as a trust under the Indian Trust Act and overseen by a Board of Trustees.
Karnataka Health Promotion Trust
Based in: Bangalore, India
Projects: Karnataka Health Promotion Trust (KHPT) has projects focused on Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health, tuberculosis, nutrition, and non-communicable diseases.
How we work: We collaborate with Karnataka Health Promotion Trust (KHPT) through a service and collaboration agreement, partnering on specific programs.
Established: 2003
Governance: Karnataka Health Promotion Trust (KHPT) is governed as a trust under the Indian Trust Act and is overseen by a Board of Trustees.
Partners for Health and Development in Africa
Projects: Partners for Health and Development in Africa (PHDA) has projects focused on Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, infectious diseases, and Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health, along with a significant portfolio of basic and applied research.
How we work: We collaborate with Partners for Health and Development in Africa (PHDA) through a service and collaboration agreement, partnering on specific programs.
Established: 2014
Governance: Partners for Health and Development in Africa (PHDA) is a non-governmental organization under the Kenyan Non-Governmental Organization Co-ordination Act and is governed by a Board of Directors.
West African Centre for Public Health and Development
Based in: Abuja, Nigeria
Projects: West African Centre for Public Health and Development (WACPHD) focuses on Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
How we work: We collaborate with West African Centre for Public Health and Development (WACPHD) through a Memorandum of Understanding, wherein WACPHD and our organization agree to work together on collaborative activities.
Established: 2014
Governance: West African Centre for Public Health and Development (WACPHD) is a charitable organization under Nigerian law and is governed by a Board of Trustees.
Current projects
Below is a selection of our current projects, highlighting the wide variety of work the Institute engages in. For more information, please contact us at igph@umanitoba.ca
Countdown to 2030 for Women’s, Children’s, and Adolescents’ Health
Overview
The Countdown to 2030 for Women’s, Children’s, and Adolescents’ Health is a global initiative that includes collaboration among academics from global, regional, and country institutions, United Nations agencies, the World Bank, and civil society organizations. The primary focus is on tracking progress in Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N). The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is the main funder of the Countdown.
Objectives
- Generate global and regional evidence to support advocacy and accountability for women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health.
- Analyze data on health intervention coverage, equity, and health systems in low- and middle-income countries.
- Strengthen country evidence and analytical capacity by collaborating with public health institutions, research institutions, and ministries of health.
Country Collaborations and Studies
Ethiopia
Collaborators: Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Ministry of Health
Activities: Endline review of the five-year health plan, maternal and newborn health exemplar study, and a health study in Addis Ababa focusing on the poor.
Regional Project: District and regional analysis of health facility data in the Amhara region, led by Dessalegn Melesse, started in 2022.
Zambia
Collaborators: School of Public Health at the University of Zambia, Ministry of Health
Activities: Analysis of trends in equity in maternal and child health, maternal and newborn health of the poor in Lusaka, and monitoring the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on essential health services.
Key Personnel: Andrea Blanchard
Tanzania
Collaborators: Ifakara Health Institute, Ministry of Health
Activities: Using health facility and survey data for district monitoring of progress and performance.
Key Personnel: Ties Boerma
Uganda
Collaborators: Makerere University, Ministry of Health
Activities: Similar focus as in Tanzania, with an emphasis on district monitoring.
Key Personnel: Ties Boerma
Pakistan
Collaborators: Health Services Academy
Activities: Comprehensive analyses to support the Ministry of Health in national reviews of women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health.
Key Personnel: James Blanchard, Tahira Reza, Faran Emanuel
India
Collaborators: National Health Services Research Center (Delhi), International Institute of Population Sciences (Mumbai), India Health Action Trust (iHAT), University of Manitoba
Activities: Maternal and newborn health exemplar study, including a national assessment and in-depth studies in six states.
Key Personnel: James Blanchard, BM Ramesh, Andrea Blanchard, Kerry Scott, Shajy Isac, Ties Boerma
Key Figures
Ties Boerma: Director of the Countdown and involved in multiple collaborations.
Dessalegn Melesse and Elsabe DuPlessis: Support work in Ethiopia.
Andrea Blanchard: Works closely with Zambia’s Countdown collaboration.
James Blanchard: Engaged in India and Pakistan projects.
Tahira Reza and Faran Emanuel: Collaborate on Pakistan projects.
Learn More
To learn more about the Countdown to 2030, visit Countdown to 2030.
Uttar Pradesh (UP) Technical Support Unit
Formation and Leadership
The Uttar Pradesh Technical Support Unit (UP TSU) was established in 2013 to provide techno-managerial support to the Government of Uttar Pradesh (GoUP). Its primary goal is to accelerate progress in achieving improved outcomes in reproductive, maternal, newborn, child health, and nutrition (RMNCHN). The UP TSU is led by the University of Manitoba’s Institute for Global Public Health, with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Scope and Scale
Uttar Pradesh (UP) is the largest state in India, with a population exceeding 220 million people. A key feature of the UP TSU is its integration within the GoUP’s health system response. The UP TSU works closely with the GoUP at the state, district, and local levels to optimize RMNCHN programs and services. The initiative has now entered its third phase, expanding from an initial focus on 25 districts to working across all 75 districts of the state.
Core Activities
The core of UP TSU’s work involves optimizing priority interventions through health systems, facility, and community platforms to improve the effective coverage of comprehensive RMNCHN programs. Key components include:
- Training and capacity building
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Embedded research
Emphasis is placed on using data at all levels to inform decision-making, policy development, and practice. The analytical process aims to reduce inequities driven by gender disparities, socio-economic factors, geography, and other drivers of inequities.
Partnerships and Specialized Support
Our work in UP is conducted in partnership with the India Health Action Trust (IHAT), which is our main implementing partner. We also receive specialized technical support from several other partners, including:
- Johns Hopkins University
- JHPIEGO
- The Community Empowerment Lab (CEL)
- The Center for Social and Behaviour Change (CSBC)
- The Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI)
Current efforts focus on transitioning key technical strategies and interventions to the GoUP and UP-based partners to sustain progress on improving health systems and outcomes. The goal is to address the GoUP’s health impact objectives, strengthen health systems, enhance equity, and sustain health outcome gains over the long term.
Routine Immunization Project Management Unit (RI PMU)
Context and Need
The state of Uttar Pradesh (UP) in North India accounts for 25% of under-immunized children in India and almost 10% of the world’s under-immunized children. The Government of Uttar Pradesh (GoUP) has made significant efforts to increase the full immunization coverage of children across the state.
Partnership and Support
To support these goals, the University of Manitoba, in collaboration with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and the India Health Action Trust (IHAT), and with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is working with the GoUP on the Routine Immunization Project Management Unit (RI PMU).
The RI PMU provides technical assistance to the GoUP to achieve its 2022 goal of 90% full immunization coverage.
Integration and Function
The RI PMU operates within the existing Uttar Pradesh Technical Support Unit (TSU). Its role is to systematically strengthen routine immunization practices, processes, and systems in Uttar Pradesh.
Main Outcomes
- Strengthened Data-Driven Decision Making: Improved decision-making across all levels of immunization based on comprehensive data.
- Enhanced State Capacity: Improved management, governance, and accountability for immunization service delivery.
- Enhanced RI Performance: Improved routine immunization performance in priority districts and blocks.
Strengthening HIV prevention response in Kenya
Partnership and Objective
The Partners for Health and Development in Africa (PHDA), in collaboration with the University of Manitoba (UM), provides technical support to the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP) and the National AIDS Control Council (NACC) in Kenya. The aim is to strengthen the effectiveness of HIV prevention programs and services, thereby reducing HIV incidence.
Project Initiation and Objectives
Initiated in October 2021, the project has the following objectives:
- Improve Strategic Planning and Priority Setting: Enhance planning and priority setting for HIV prevention efforts.
- Enhance HIV Prevention Program Implementation: Improve the implementation of HIV prevention programs in priority counties.
- Integrate HIV Prevention Programs: Increase integration of HIV prevention programs into various health system platforms.
- Document and Disseminate Effective Models: Document and share effective HIV prevention models, methods, and tools.
Utilization of Knowledge and Coordination
The University of Manitoba team will leverage knowledge gathered from situational analysis of the HIV prevention landscape in Kenya, as well as from previous grants that provided direct technical support to the national HIV program. This effort will align with other HIV-related grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) in Kenya that focus on testing and prevention, and will connect with the national care and treatment program where appropriate.
Goals and Collaboration
The project aims to support the national HIV program in achieving the goals outlined in the Kenya AIDS Strategic Framework II (2020/21 – 2024/25) and the HIV Prevention Roadmap. It will collaborate with national and county-level governments, as well as partners from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the Global Fund, Gates grantees, and other key stakeholders to develop innovative solutions to improve HIV-related outcomes.
Learn More
To learn more about PHDA, visit PHDA Website.
Contact us
Institute for Global Public Health (IGPH)
Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Community Health Sciences
R070 Med Rehab Bldg, 771 McDermot Avenue
University of Manitoba (Bannatyne campus)
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0T6
Canada
204-789-3718