OHAMR Call for proposals 2026

General Information

• Type: Partner looking for project
• Organisation: Mattu University
• Country: Ethiopia (ET)
• Career stage: Other.

Research area

• Scientific area(s) of the call:
  1. Topic 2: Develop tools and methods to improve adherence to treatment protocols.
• One Health Setting:

  H - Human Health

  E - Environment
  P - Plants (Plant Health)

• Keywords:

  Tropical Diseases; Public Health Research; Climate Change; Environmental Sustainability; Capacity Building

• Brief description of your expertise / expertise you are looking for:

  Expertise / Expertise Sought Our expertise focuses on applied research and capacity building in tropical health, climate-smart agriculture and livestock systems, environmental sustainability, and community-based development in low-resource settings. We have strong experience in interdisciplinary research, linking higher education, research institutions, and local communities to address public health challenges, food security, and climate resilience. We are seeking collaboration with partners who have expertise in advanced biomedical and public health research, tropical and infectious diseases, environmental and climate science, data analytics, laboratory sciences, and research funding mechanisms. Such collaboration would strengthen joint research, technology transfer, and capacity building initiatives at regional and international levels.

• Brief description of your project / the project you would like to join:

  Tropical Diseases in Ilu Ababor Zone Ilu Ababor Zone, located in southwestern Ethiopia, is a region where several tropical and climate-sensitive diseases pose significant public health challenges: 1. Malaria Malaria is highly prevalent in the zone and affects a large majority of the population, particularly in lowland areas under 2,000 m elevation where mosquito vectors thrive. Most cases are caused by Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, joint pain, and in severe cases can be life-threatening without prompt treatment. 2. Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Common NTDs in Ethiopia that are relevant to Oromia, including areas like Ilu Ababor, include schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminths (such as hookworm, ascariasis, and trichuriasis), leishmaniasis, scabies, lymphatic filariasis, and onchocerciasis. These diseases are often linked to inadequate sanitation, vector exposure, and limited access to health services. 3. Podoconiosis Podoconiosis — non-filarial elephantiasis caused by long-term exposure to certain volcanic soils — has a documented high prevalence in the zone (about 9.1%), resulting in chronic swelling of the lower limbs, disability, and social stigma. 4. Other Vector-Related Diseases Protozoan infections like trypanosomiasis (transmitted by tsetse flies) affect livestock, indirectly impacting livelihoods and community health. Overall, tropical diseases in Ilu Ababor contribute substantially to the local disease burden, intersecting with socio-economic factors such as poverty, limited infrastructure, and environmental conditions conducive to disease transmission.

Habtamu Amessa

• Organisation: Mattu University
• Position: International Relations Team Leader
• E-mail: habtamu.wondimu@meu.edu.et
• Phone: +251913499924
• Web: www.meu.edu.et