What we do

R4D International works with national, regional, and international institutions to provide evidence-based solutions in global health and community development.

The organization's mission is carried out through four strategic domains:

Implementation science

Researching to improve project methods and support evidence-based policies.

Evidence-based policy advocacy

Using research to promote policies that benefit health and development.

Innovative Health Research

Testing new ideas to enhance health outcomes.

Community Development

Designing and implementing initiatives that help achieve sustainable development locally.

Our Initiatives

The Alma Atta Clinic

Located in a peripheral quarter of Yaoundé, this clinic by R4D International provides affordable and quality primary health care services to vulnerable populations. The services encompass medical consultations, antenatal care, safe delivery, vaccinations, and preventive health initiatives. The target populations include women, children, and adolescents who are economically disadvantaged.

Active Search for Pediatric HIV/AIDS (ASPA)

This initiative aims to improve HIV care for children and adolescents in Cameroon. Implemented in selected hospitals, ASPA actively searches for children and adolescents with HIV/AIDS in the community to enroll them in care. The resulting research papers help enhance practices and care for children and adolescents.

Read ASPA Publications

Performance-Based Financing (PBF)

This project analyzed the introduction of PBF in Cameroon, focusing on policy entrepreneurs’ roles. The research produced policy briefs and papers that influenced health financing policy in Cameroon and the region.

READ PBF PUBLICATIONS

Strengthening Community Health Workers for Primary Care (RASCom)

This project recruits, trains, equips, deploys, and supervises community health workers in remote areas to improve health services, focusing on HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria, immunizations, maternal and child health, and chronic diseases.

Restoring Health and Strengthening Resilience among migrants, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Refugees affected by conflicts, crisis or natural disasters (RESTORE)

‘’Restore’’ project seeks to address the immediate health and socio-economic needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and migrants affected by crises or conflicts by enhancing access to healthcare, delivering essential medical services—including mental health support—promoting livelihoods, and strengthening social integration. The initiative employs a data-driven approach, grounded in evaluation and research, to develop effective and sustainable solutions tailored to the unique needs of affected communities.

Africa Health Workforce Initiative (AHWI)

AHWI addresses the paradox of high unemployment among trained healthcare professionals in Africa despite widespread workforce shortages. In countries like Cameroon, thousands of doctors, nurses, and other health workers remain unemployed or underemployed due to economic constraints, inadequate funding, and a mismatch between workforce production and labor market needs. Meanwhile, rural and underserved areas face critical shortages, worsening health outcomes and straining systems. Many African health professionals seek international opportunities without structured support or ethical recruitment pathways. AHWI’s Objectives include:

Facilitate Employment of Healthcare Workers– Connect unemployed and underemployed professionals with job opportunities in public and private healthcare sectors, prioritizing underserved areas.
Promote Ethical International Health Workforce Mobility– Develop partnerships with global health institutions to establish structured and ethical migration pathways.
Strengthen Workforce Capacity and Policy Advocacy– Provide training, mentorship, and advocacy to align workforce production with labor market demands, ensuring sustainable employment and improved healthcare delivery.

Through AHWI, R4D International seeks to optimize Africa’s health workforce, improve service delivery, and create sustainable solutions to unemployment in the health sector.

Research for Development (R4D) International was founded in 2012 by a group of health and community development professionals to bridge the gap between research and practical implementation.