Enabling the growth and transformation of Africa’s health sector

Health Ecosystems (HECO)

The Health Ecosystems Pillar enables students and professionals to acquire advanced skills in a broad range of disciplines critical for sustainable health sector growth and transformation in Africa.

Impact of Ecosystems on Africa

To enhance the stability and growth of African health sectors, HECO focuses on increasing the number of primary healthcare workers with stable employment by assembling essential building blocks for these sectors.

The purpose of the Health Ecosystems Pillar is to train and prepare a new generation of talented health professionals with the broad sets of skills required to drive equitable and inclusive growth in Africa.

The Health Collaborative develops these building blocks to ensure that there are always sufficient numbers of highly skilled, work-ready graduates across a spectrum of disciplines responding to Africa’s needs.

Programs under the Health Ecosystem Pillar are tailored to equip young leaders with the perspective, skills, training, and credentials essential for developing innovative, sustainable, and equitable health sectors.

The Power of Partnership

Our Goal

Train professionals across a broad range of disciplines critical for sustainable and equitable health-sector growth.

How HECO and Partners work together

Under the Health Ecosystems Pillar, Health Collaborative Partners work to co-create and train a new generation of talented health professionals with advanced skills required to drive equitable and inclusive growth in Africa. 

Explore HECO Activities

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Centre for Reimagined Africa (CRA)

University of Toronto

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Research & Innovation

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Needs Assessment Research Study 

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Candidate Nominations for the ALU Public Sector Fellowship Program

African Leadership University (ALU) is thrilled to share an exceptional opportunity for public sector leaders championing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) projects. The ALU Public Sector Fellowship, now entering its third year, is a dynamic, 8-month, part-time program designed to empower leaders with essential skills to elevate service delivery and tackle Africa’s pressing […]

[Watch] Heavy Risk – An Environmental & Occupational Health Documentary

In Ghana’s Shama District, the rice fields of Whin Valley hold immense agricultural potential, providing food and livelihoods to the local community and beyond. But beneath this fertile land, a hidden story unfolds. Three Mastercard Foundation Scholars from the University of Toronto set out to explore how local farming practices and nearby #Galamsey (illegal mining) […]

From Bedside to Big Data: A Nurse’s Transition to Health Informatics 

In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, the intersection of clinical expertise and technological innovation is where the most significant impacts are made. My journey from nursing to health informatics is a testament to this shift—a journey that began with hands-on patient care and led me to the forefront of digital health solutions. This transition wasn’t […]

2023 Baobab Summit

The Baobab Summit is a virtual event that celebrates the power of youth leadership, individual action, and positive social change across Africa.

Want to learn more about the HECO pillar?

Photo of Tak Koguchi

Senior Regional Lead

tak.koguchi@utoronto.ca

Photo of Suying Hugh

Program Manager, Mastercard Foundation

suying.hugh@utoronto.ca

Profile

Tak Koguchi

Senior Regional Lead

University of Toronto

Tak is Senior Regional Lead (Africa) and Co-lead for the Health Ecosystems Pillar in the AHEHC for the University of Toronto (U of T). 

As Pillar Co-Lead, his role focuses on establishing collaborative certificate and short course programs to train professionals in a wide range of disciplines critical for sustainable and equitable health-sector growth in Africa. As member of the collaborative’s Secretariat, he plays an active role in supporting the network’s collective activities and governance.  In his capacity of Senior Regional Lead, he is responsible for growing U of T’s engagement with Sub-Sahara Africa. Tak is a graduate of U of T (BA) and York University (MPPAL).  

Profile

Suying Hugh, EdD

Program Manager, Mastercard Foundation

University of Toronto

Suying Hugh is the Program Manager for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

In her role, Suying oversees the day-to-day management of the scholarship and the students. A dedicated student life professional, Suying’s many years of experience focuses on enhancing the student experience and more specifically the international student experience. Her research interests focus on migration and the movement of talent. As the Program Manager of the Scholars Program, she understands the commitment of the scholarship to developing human capacity in Africa.