Delegates from World Health Organisation (WHO) led by WHO Country Representative Professor Jean-Marie Dangou visited Midlands State University on the 2nd of August 2023 to discuss potential collaborations with the University.
Esteemed Doctor and Lecturer in the Department of Community Medicine, Professor Davison Munodawafa welcomed WHO guests and emphasized that their visit will result in researches that will lead to drastic improvement of Zimbabwe’s health care system.
In his introductory remarks, MSU Vice Chancellor, Professor Victor Ngonidzashe Muzvidziwa recognized the significance of the visit by WHO which will result improved public health programmes.
“We need to connect, engage and partner and the visit by WHO is timely and historic in that it has aroused interest in making the University conduct researches that will strengthen Zimbabwe’s health system and promote projects for research on diseases,” remarked Professor Muzvidziwa.
In his keynote address, Professor Jean-Marie Dangou emphasized his admiration of the medical research and work being done by the University.
In his keynote address, Professor Jean-Marie Dangou emphasized his admiration of the medical research and work being done by the University.
“I believe that research is essential for improving the health of the people of Zimbabwe and for achieving a better and more sustainable future for all through the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in particular SDG 3 which talks of ‘Good Health and Well-being’.
“I am pleased to see that MSU is committed to research that will improve the health and wellbeing of people in Zimbabwe,” said Professor Jean-Marie Dangou.
Professor Dangou voiced his support for research which will improve health in Africa and reiterated that WHO will invest in locally-driven research findings that will be translated into policy and action.
Fruitful discussions were held with the University’s executive management about possible partnerships and collaborations in areas such as, health research, public health training and disease surveillance.
The team toured facilities including the MSU Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Library and laboratories, MSU National Pathology Research and Diagnostic Centre as well as the MSU Innovation Hub.
In her closing remarks, Midlands State University’s Pro-Vice Chancellor-Research, Innovation and Industrialisation, Professor Grace Mugumbate thanked WHO delegates for their visit and encouraged researchers to come up with research that will be translated into action which will lead to improved health outcomes.
Midlands State University continues to invest in capacity strengthening initiatives for increased global and local research collaborations and partnerships.