an Eldis Resource
Status of national health research systems in ten countries of the WHO African Region
Developing national health research strategies to build capacity in Africa
Authors:
Joses M Kirigia; Charles Wambebe
Publisher:
BioMed Central, 2006
This paper, published by BioMed Central, takes stock of some aspects of national resources for health research in the countries of the WHO African Region. The authors also identify current constraints facing national health research systems and propose the way forward.
Among the ten countries that responded to a questionnaire: three have a health research policy; one country has a law relating to health research; two countries have a strategic health research plan, and three countries have a functional national health research system (NHRS). Additionally, two countries have a health research programme while three countries have a national health research institute (NHRI) and a faculty of health sciences in the national university that conducts health research. Finally, four out of the ten countries have a budget line for health research in the Ministry of Health budget document.
The authors conclude that governments of countries of the African Region, with the support of development partners, private sector and civil society, urgently need to improve the research policy environment by developing health research policies, strategic plans, legislations, programmes and rolling plans with the involvement of all stakeholders. The development of high-performing national health research systems in the countries of the WHO African Region, though optional, is an imperative.
(adapted from author)
