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An International MOU was signed between UoM SPH and ECSA-HC

Recommended size: 800 × 600 px An International MOU to advance Public Health Diplomacy initiatives was signed between UoM SPH and ECSA-HC
Dr. Ntuli Kapologwe, Director General of ECSA-HC, formalized the agreement alongside Prof Ashish Joshi, PhD, MBBS, MPH Dean, University of Memphis School of Public Health

University of Memphis School of Public Health and East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community Sign Landmark Memorandum of Understanding to Strengthen Regional Health Capacity

Thursday, 05 February 2026

The University of Memphis School of Public Health (UofM SPH) and the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA‑HC) signed a landmark international Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a Collaborative Resource Hub designed to strengthen public health capacity across ECSA‑HC member states. The agreement was formalized shortly after the 76th ECSA‑HC Health Ministers’ Conference in Eswatini and marks a significant step in advancing regional cooperation on health systems, workforce development and education.
The agreement was signed by Dr. Ntuli Kapologwe, Director General of ECSA‑HC, and Dr. Ashish Joshi, PhD, MBBS, MPH, Dean and Distinguished Professor of the University of Memphis School of Public Health.

“The collaboration with the East, Central, and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) highlights the importance of partnerships in advancing the field of public health diplomacy in Africa and contributes to capacity building in an era of complexity, uncertainty and unpredictability.”  
— Dr. Ashish Joshi, Dean, UofM SPH 

The partnership will focus on three areas to bolster regional health. First, through public health diplomacy, the Collaborative Resource Hub will support alignment of policy and practice across regions. Second, the agreement advances the academic pipeline by integrating select The University of Memphis graduate certificates into ECSA‑HC programs. Third, the MOU promotes cross‑cultural exchange by fostering global perspectives for students and faculty alike.   

“Public health diplomacy is essential for advancing sustainable health financing and strengthening health security in Africa. Through collective action, trust, and shared commitment, we can mobilize resources, harmonize policies and ensure that every African nation is better prepared to protect the health and wellbeing of its people.”  
— Dr. Ntuli A. Kapologwe, Director General of ECSA-HC 

ECSA‑HC, the intergovernmental body advancing regional health cooperation among Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Eswatini, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, will work with UofM SPH to prioritize activities that address shared regional needs while building scalable models for broader impact.  

An International MOU was signed between UoM SPH and ECSA-HC

(Right) Dr. Ntuli Kapologwe, Director General of ECSA‑HC, and (Left) Dr. Ashish Joshi, PhD, MBBS, MPH, Dean and Distinguished Professor of the University of Memphis School of Public Health

An International MOU was signed between UoM SPH and ECSA-HC

(Right) Dr. Ntuli Kapologwe, Director General of ECSA‑HC, and (Left) Dr. Ashish Joshi, PhD, MBBS, MPH, Dean and Distinguished Professor of the University of Memphis School of Public Health

An International MOU was signed between UoM SPH and ECSA-HC

(Center) Dr. Ntuli Kapologwe, Director General of ECSA‑HC (Right) Tina Chisenga, Manager-Health Systems and Capacity Development at East, Central and Southern African Health Community (ECSA-HC) (Left) Dr. Ashish Joshi, PhD, MBBS, MPH, Dean and Distinguished Professor of the University of Memphis School of Public Health

MEDIA CONTACTS:
For Media Inquiries contact: SPHCommunications@memphis.edu 
The Office of Communications at The University of Memphis School of Public Health