FRANK tAULO, Center for Reproductive Health, University of Malawi

We wish to express our heartfelt appreciation for the philanthropic support that we have been receiving for the past four years through the Bill and Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Your support was geared towards creating a center of excellence in reproductive health (RH) research and training within the Malawi Medical College of the University of Malawi. This leadership has already borne fruit.

First, the Center has created interest and capacity in reproductive health research among undergraduate medical students and master of public health (MPH) students. Since the center was created, five MPH students have graduated with dissertations in the RH track. Furthermore, six medical students have completed their theses on RH topics. Two earned recognition as examples of the best student research of 2006.

Secondly, the Center hosts projects with funds leveraged from other international donors. One example is the "Safe Motherhood and HIV/AIDS Prevention Project," an international initiative through which various countries can learn about a community-driven approach to RH intervention. Leading the effort is a nurse who attends the school and has been able to learn about ways to reduce maternal deaths using community-based networks. This approach has been rolled out to the rest of the country through UNFPA, EU and WHO.

Frank Taulo
Acting Director
Center for Reproductive Health

Robin Broadhead
Principal
College of Medicine