Hararghe Health Research Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Free Medical Outreach Campaign in Kersa District

Hararghe Health Research (HHR), a collaborative research center established jointly by Haramaya University and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), has officially launched its 10th-anniversary celebrations by conducting a specialized community medical outreach campaign in the rural areas of Kersa District. Over the past decade, the center has focused on maternal and child health research, generating evidence-based solutions to improve public health outcomes across the region. Reflecting on the milestone, Mr. Amedin Mume, Deputy Head of the Kersa District Health Office, noted that the research and surveillance initiatives conducted by Hararghe Health Research over the last ten years have brought significant benefits to local communities. He highlighted that these combined efforts have played a vital role in substantially reducing maternal and child mortality related to childbirth in the district.

Elaborating on the organization’s core mission, Mrs. Yenenesh Tilahun, Operations Manager at Hararghe Health Research, explained that the center’s primary objective is to research maternal and child health, feeding key evidence into national health policies and strategies. By working closely with healthcare institutions, HHR ensures that preventative measures are grounded in rigorous scientific study.

Mrs. Yenenesh added that alongside its core research agenda, HHR actively engages in community support initiatives. To mark its decade of service, the research center organized a free medical outreach campaign targeting underserved rural populations in Kersa District. Similar medical outreach campaigns are scheduled to roll out in other communities in the coming phases. The medical campaign provided essential healthcare services and free medications to numerous rural residents who otherwise faced barriers to accessing medical care.

Resident Mrs. Belo Abdo shared her gratitude, explaining that two of her children had been ill for a long time, but financial constraints prevented her from taking them to a hospital for proper care. She expressed relief and delight at having her children examined and provided with free medication through the volunteer campaign. Other participating patients similarly expressed appreciation for the free medical examinations and pharmaceutical support provided during the campaign.

Reporter: Habtamu Hailegebriel

Photographer: Behailu Girma

Tags: 10th Anniversary, Anniversary Celebration, Community Health, Ethiopia Healthcare, Free Healthcare, Free Medical Outreach, Hararghe, Hararghe Health Research, Health Research, Healthcare Access, Kersa District, Medical Campaign, Medical Outreach, Medical Services, Public Health Ethiopia, Rural Health Campaign