A research hub for Somalia's health future.
The Center for Health Research and Innovation (CHRI) is an academic research and policy hub within Somali National University — bridging research and policy to strengthen Somalia's health system.
Generating evidence. Strengthening health systems.
The Center for Health Research and Innovation (CHRI) is a university-based research and policy hub within the Somali National University in Mogadishu. We are an academic research center - not a service provider - dedicated to generating evidence, strengthening health systems, and supporting evidence-informed decision-making in Somalia.
Drawing on leading academic health science center models, CHRI bridges the gap between research and policy through implementation research, systems strengthening, and innovation in public health practice.
"Despite the urgent need for evidence-based policy, Somalia's health research system remains fragmented. CHRI exists to bridge that gap."
A response to a real gap.
Somalia faces a complex and evolving health systems landscape shaped by fragility, post-conflict recovery, and the growing burden of both communicable and non-communicable diseases. The need for evidence-based policy and practice has never been more urgent.
Yet the national health research system remains fragmented, with limited institutional capacity for sustained, high-quality research aligned with national priorities. Somali National University is uniquely positioned to bridge this gap.
By establishing CHRI, the University institutionalizes a dedicated hub for generating, translating, and applying health knowledge to support the Ministry of Health, implementing partners, and local communities.
Vision & Mission
Our Vision
To become Somalia and Africa's leading academic center for health research and innovation — driving evidence-based health policies and strengthening health systems for equitable and sustainable population wellbeing.
Our Mission
To advance knowledge and innovation in health through rigorous implementation and health systems research, capacity building, and strategic partnerships — translating research into actionable policy and practice recommendations that improve health outcomes in Somalia.
An implementation-science approach.
Our methods are participatory, mixed, and embedded — designed to produce evidence that actually changes policy and practice.
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Participatory Research
Engaging policymakers, health managers, and communities as co-designers.
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Mixed-Methods Designs
Combining quantitative data with qualitative insights from the field.
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Learning Health Systems
Embedding research within program implementation and policy cycles.
Six pillars of our work
CHRI's work spans research, policy, evaluation, dialogue, training, and innovation — each pillar reinforcing Somalia's health system through evidence and partnership.
Implementation & Health Systems Research
Applied research on maternal and child health, infectious and non-communicable diseases, the health workforce, and health financing — evaluating how interventions are adopted, scaled, and sustained within Somali health systems.
Policy Analysis & Development Support
Policy reviews, gap analyses, and technical input for health policy formulation and legal frameworks supporting the Ministry of Health and other government agencies.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Performance
Supporting M&E of national programs, generating health system performance indicators, and building data dashboards for policymakers and partners.
Health Policy Dialogues & Forums
Organizing forums, technical dialogues, and stakeholder workshops to disseminate findings, foster consensus, and co-design solutions with government, NGOs, and international agencies.
Capacity Building & Training
Short courses, workshops, and mentorship in research methods, implementation science, M&E, and evidence-informed policy — including MSc and PhD supervision with SNU and partner universities.
Innovation & Knowledge Translation
Translating findings into policy briefs, technical reports, and accessible knowledge products — supporting pilot projects that test innovative models of service delivery and health governance.
Core values that guide our work
The principles below shape every project, partnership, and policy engagement we undertake.
Evidence-based
Rigorous research and transparent methodologies underpin everything we do.
Equity-oriented
Prioritizing vulnerable and underserved populations in Somalia's health system.
Partnership-driven
Collaborative relationships across government, multilateral, and academic sectors.
Capacity-building
Investing in Somali researchers, policymakers, and health professionals.
Innovation-minded
Context-adapted solutions to Somalia's specific health challenges.
Integrity & Neutrality
Science-first, non-partisan, policy-relevant work — always.
Based at Somali National University.
CHRI is institutionally housed within the Somali National University in Mogadishu — drawing on the University's academic infrastructure, postgraduate programs, and global academic networks. This positions CHRI to convene policymakers, train scholars, and produce research at the highest standards.
Contributing to Somalia's health system
CHRI strengthens the evidence base for health policy and practice — improving quality, effectiveness, capacity, and accountability across the system.
Improved Policy Quality
Evidence-based inputs into national strategies and guidelines.
More Effective Programs
Implementation research that optimizes intervention delivery.
Stronger National Capacity
A growing cadre of Somali researchers and policy analysts.
Enhanced Accountability
Better monitoring and evaluation systems supporting transparency and learning.
Partner with CHRI
We welcome collaborations with government, multilateral agencies, NGOs, and academic institutions committed to strengthening Somalia's health system.