Under Construction
Background
The department of Public Health was established in 2008 by offering a BSc degree in health officer under the then College of Health and Medical Sciences (CHMS). The department aimed at producing competent and qualified graduates from the BSc. level to the terminal (third) degree levels to contribute to the ever-increasing health human resource needs of the public health sector in the country. The department has significantly contributed to the production of public health professionals that contribute to disease prevention, health promotion and treatment, educational programs, policy development, services administration, research, and regulatory services locally and internationally.
The department has passed through a series of transformational development, the then program of public health was transformed to the department of public health during 2015/16 and currently, the department is structured into five administrative divisions (three coordinating units namely human nutrition coordinating units, public health and health policy coordinating units, behavioral and health promotion coordinating units) and two program coordinators (PhD programs coordinator, undergraduate program coordinator). The department has been building capacities on the existing system to become accountable to lead the initiative of capacity building process through developing a common quality assurance framework of public health. After the transition, the department further strengthened teaching, research, and community services integrity using any available opportunities
Overview
- The Department of Reproductive and Family Health at Wallaga University began in 2016 E.C as a Department within the Institute of Health Sciences, under the School of Public Health.
- The Department of Reproductive and Family Health is one of the core academic units within the Institute of Health Sciences at Wallaga University. The Department was established to advance education, research, and community service in key areas of reproductive, maternal, new-born, child, and adolescent health. Since its establishment, the Department has played a central role in training competent public health professionals equipped with the knowledge and skills to address Ethiopia’s priority health challenges.
- The Department offers high-quality teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with a curriculum that integrates theoretical knowledge, practical field experience, and research competency. Through its academic programs, the department prepares students to become leaders in reproductive health, family planning, safe motherhood, fertility and infertility care, adolescent health, gender and sexuality studies, and public health research.
- Research is a major pillar of the department’s activities. Staff and students actively engage in research addressing maternal mortality, family planning uptake, adolescent reproductive health issues, gender-based violence, and other public health concerns relevant to the region and the country.
- In addition to teaching and research, the Department of Reproductive and Family Health provides outreach services and community engagement. Through fieldwork programs, health education campaigns, and partnerships with local health institutions, the department contributes to improving reproductive and family health outcomes in surrounding communities.
- Overall, the department remains committed to producing well-trained professionals, generating impactful research, and supporting community health initiatives in alignment with Wallaga University’s mission to advance education, health, and development.
