A child./ PHOTO ; Pexel
The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) is set to convene its 2025 Research-to-Policy Dialogue Series focused on Maternal, Newborn, Child Health, and Nutrition (MNCH+N), bringing together leading voices from research, policy, civil society, and the private sector.
The series aims to address persistent and emerging challenges in MNCH+N across Africa, promoting evidence-informed strategies to improve health outcomes for mothers and children.
The 2025 series will unfold over two sessions, each featuring keynote presentations, case studies, and breakout discussions designed to foster knowledge exchange, networking, and collaborative action.
APHRC has emphasized that these dialogues are critical to translating research evidence into actionable policy interventions, ensuring that innovative and effective practices reach the communities that need them most.
Session 1: Setting the Agenda – Understanding the MNCH+N Landscape in Africa
The first session, scheduled for October 27, 2025, from 16:00 to 17:30 EAT, will provide a comprehensive overview of the current MNCH+N landscape across Africa.
Experts will examine maternal, newborn, and child health indicators, nutrition challenges, and the socio-economic determinants of health.
Through this session, participants will explore gaps in service delivery, access to care, and the factors contributing to preventable maternal and child deaths.
Case studies highlighting successful interventions in diverse African contexts will also be presented, offering insights into practical solutions that can be scaled across the continent.
Session 2: Bridging Evidence and Action – Showcasing Solutions, Best Practices, and the Science of Scale-up
The second session, slated for November 11, 2025, from 16:00 to 17:30 EAT, will focus on translating research into action. Panelists will showcase evidence-based solutions, best practices, and strategies for scaling interventions in MNCH+N.
Discussions will explore how health systems can be strengthened, how policies can be informed by robust research, and how equity can be advanced in maternal and child health services.
Participants will have the opportunity to engage in breakout discussions aimed at developing actionable commitments for improving MNCH+N outcomes at national and regional levels.
Theme: Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures
The series is anchored in the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures”, which aligns with World Health Day 2025.
The theme highlights the critical role of early interventions in maternal and child health, emphasizing that the well-being of mothers and children lays the foundation for healthier and more prosperous communities.
APHRC intends for the series to demonstrate how evidence-based policies and collaborative efforts can transform MNCH+N outcomes across Africa, helping to reduce preventable deaths and improve nutrition.
Building Bridges Between Research and Policy
A central goal of the dialogue series is to bridge the gap between research evidence and policy implementation.
APHRC has long advocated for the integration of rigorous research into health policy, ensuring that programs addressing maternal and child health are informed by data and best practices.
By convening stakeholders from diverse sectors, the series provides a platform for sharing insights, fostering partnerships, and identifying pathways to scale successful interventions.
Participants will include researchers, policymakers, representatives from civil society organizations, and private sector actors engaged in health and development.
The dialogues are expected to result in actionable recommendations, cross-sector collaboration, and strategies to accelerate the adoption of evidence-based practices in MNCH+N.
These outcomes aim to strengthen health systems, improve service delivery, and enhance equitable access to care for mothers, newborns, and children across Africa.
About APHRC
The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) is a leading research institution dedicated to improving the health and well-being of African populations through evidence generation, capacity strengthening, and policy engagement.
APHRC works across Africa to provide data-driven solutions that inform national and regional policies, contributing to sustainable improvements in health, education, and development outcomes.
Through the 2025 Research-to-Policy Dialogue Series, APHRC continues its commitment to leveraging research for tangible impact, fostering collaborations that translate evidence into policies and programs that save lives and improve the quality of life for Africa’s most vulnerable populations.
