REPORT
OF THE MEETING OF NATIONAL OFFICERS
RESPONSIBLE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH
Limassol, 13-15 April 1983
WORLD HEALTH ORGAHIZATIOH
EASTERN MEDITERRAHIAH REGION
REPORT
OF THE MEETING OF NATIONAL OFFICERS
RESPONSIBLE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH
Limas·sol, 13-1 5 April 19 8 3
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
EASTERN MEDITERRAHIAN REGION
REPORT
OF THE MEETING OF NATIONAL OFFICERS
RESPONSIBLE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH
Limassol, I 3-1 5 April 19 8 3
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
EA.STERN MEDITERRANEAN REGION
REPORT ON
EM/RSRn7 EM/MIG.NAT.OFF.RESP.MED.RES./5
May 1983
THG MEETING OF NATIONAL OFFICERS RESPONSIBLE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH
CYPRUS
Limassol, 13 - 15 April 1983
The views expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the World Health Organization.
EM/RSR/27 EM/MrG.NAT.OFF.RESP.MED.RES./5
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I OPENING OF THE MEETING 1
II OBJECTIVES 1
III REVIEW OF EXISTING MECHANISMS FOR MANAGING MEDICAL RESEARCH IN THE COUNTRIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS 2
EGYPT
IRAN PAKISTAN KUWAIT SAUDI ARABIA
SUDAN SYRIA
TUNISIA YEMEN ARAB REPUBLIC
3 4 5 6 8
10 12 13 15
IV OVERVIEW 17
V WHO/EM INTER-COUNTRY MEDICAL RESEARCH PROGRAMME (Agenda item 4) 18
VI DELINEATION OF AREAS FOR FUTURE COLLABORATION WITH WHO IN THE FIEID OF MEDICAL RESEARCH (Agenda item 6) 24
ANNEX I LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
ANNEX II ADDRESS OF DR HUSSEIN A. GEZAIRY, DIRECTOR, WHO EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN REGION
ANNEX III AGENDA
EM./RSR/27 EM./MTG.NAT.OFF.RESP.MED.RES./5 page 1
A Meeting of National Officers Responsible for Medical Research in some
countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region was held in Limassol, Cyprus,
13 - 15 April 1983.· The List of Participants is attached as Annex I.
1 OPENING OF THE MEETING
The participants were welcomed on behalf of the Regional Director by
Dr Farouk Partow, Director of Programme Management, WHO, who also·delivered a
message of Dr Hussein A. Gezairy, Regional Director. Dr Gezairy , in his mes
sage 1 anticipated that this and similar subsequent meetings would lead to in
creased collaboration between national research organizations and scientists
and WHO, and would serve to orient national research efforts in order to make
them more relevant to the global objective of Health for All by the Year 2000.
The full text of Dr Gezairy's message is given as Annex II.
Professor M. Abdussalam, Chairman of the EM/ACMR. 1 served as moderator for this meeting.
The Provisional Agenda and Programme of Work were adopted.
given in Annex III.
II OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the meeting were as follows:
The Agenda is
- to review �d exchange information on mechanisms employed for the promotion.
development and coordination of medical research in the countries of the
participants;
- to suggest ways and means of strengthening the above mechanisms; - to outline WHO's role in the development of medical research activities
in the Member Countries, with special reference to research in support of
national strategies for the goal Health for All by the Year 2000;
- to discuss areas for WHO's collaboration in the coming years.
Fl1/RBR/27 EM/Ml'G.NAT.OIT.RESP.MED. RES./5 page 2
III REVIEW OF EXISTING MECHANISMS FOR MANAGING MEDICAL RESEARCH IN THE COUNTRIES
OF THE PARTICIPANTS
The participants had been requested beforehand to prepare a concise statement
on the mechanisms existing in their respective countries for managing medical
research, with special reference to mechanisms for coordination of research and
for promoting and developing targeted research. A summary is given below of
these country reports, the full texts of which were distributed to the participants
during the meeting.
EGYPT
EM/RSR/27 EM/MTG.NAT.OFF.RESP.MED�RES./5 page 3
Medical research in Egypt is carried out in several institutes including the
Medical Faculties, institutes attached to the Ministry of Health and those affiliated
to the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology. Recently the Academy has
developed an ambitious plan for developing research capabilities in different fields 1
including health, and substantial funds have been made available to the Academy for
financing this research programme. At the moment, at the national level, the
Academy is considered to be the body responsible for the organization and integration
of research activities. Through its various committees it is linked with the
relevant Ministries. In the Ministry of Health a Department of Medical Research
has recently been established with the objective of coordinating health services
research activities and for supporting and directing research towards the solution
of national health problems and for developing the requisite research manpower.
It will also attempt to maintain links with medical and research institutes and
attempt to coordinate medical research activities. In addition, it would provide
the technical secretariat for the Permanent Committee of Research in the Ministry
of Health.
EM/RSR/27 EM/M TG.NAT.OFF.RESP.MED.RES./5 page 4
IRAN
Soon after the establishment of the Government of the Islamic Republic,
a Central Committee for University Reform (University Djehad) with various sub
committees for educational curricula, student selection, University rules and
regulations, and another Committee for Scientific Publications, were established.
Similar committees were fonned at each University, as well as in various scientific
institutions. The Ministry of Science and Higher Education and of Culture and Arts
were amalgamated to form the new Ministry of Culture and Higher Education. A new
organization for Scientific and Technological Research was established. Of the
eighty-three scientific institutions in the country there are nine that deal with
medical and allied sciences. After the Revolution, the allocation for research
as a whole was increased five-fold, Close cooperation exists between the Ministry
of Health and faculties of medicine and other health institutions. As a matter of
policy, applied and problem-solving research are receiving the highest priority.
The Cultural Revolution Council and the Sub-connnittee of Djehad are bodies
which fulfil the various functions of a medical research council in Iran. These
organizations receive medical research projects which are first evaluated for use
fulness and the possibility for direct application, and only then is the related
budget approved.
Another body established after the Revolution is the Organization for
Scientific and Technological Research which functions under the Office of the
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This Organization helps to promote
basic and applied research at national level and coordinates research activities
in various fields,
All the above�entioned bodies give top priority to targeted research projects
related to primary health care and to the expanded programme on immunization for
ap�lication in remote areas of the country.
A major constraint in the development of medical research was the lack of
adequate manpower and access to health literature.
Bilateral cooperation with other countries is being encouraged; recent example
of this is an agreement for scientific cooperation with Libya.
PAKISTAN
EM/RSR/27 EM/MI'G.NAT.OFF.RESP.MED.RES./5 page 5
As the other two participants from Pakistan were unable to attend.
Professor Abdussalam briefed the group on the management of medical research
in that country.
The Pakistan Medical Research Council is the leading agency in the country
charged with the organization and coordination of research. Although adminis
tratively located in the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Council maintains
effective links with the Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Departments.
It is headed by an honorary chairman and has eighteen members drawn from various
medical institutes in the country. A number of expert groups exist to facilitate
the Council's work in promoting and supervising research in selected priority
areas. Following the convening of a large national meeting two years ago, in
which many scientists participated, the Council developed a comprehensive list of
researchable topics relevant to the health problems of the country. The Council
has established research centres in the medical schools: it also awards research
grants to scientists who apply for funds. The scientific work sponsored by the
Council is disseminated through the publication of its annual report and a quarterly
medical journal, and also through periodical conferences/seminars on selected
topics.
Medical research is also being undertaken by students in the post-graduate
institutes in Lahore and Karachi. Research in communicable diseases and allied
disciplines is mostly carried out at the National Institute of Health, Islamabad.
In addition to the Pakistan Medical Research Council, the Pakistan Science Foundation
and the University Grant Commission also award research grants to scientists applying
for support.
FJ1/RSR/27 EM/M!G.NAT. OFF.RESP.MED.RES./5 page 6
KUWAIT
A Health Research Department was established in the Ministry of health in 1976,
to develop applied and basic research activities in order to up-grade the quality of
health care being provided in the country. In 1982 the scope and functions of this
Department were revised and now include:
- design and execution of short- and long-term research plans according to the
requirements of the Ministry of Public Health and its policy of continuous
improvements of health services;
- creation of highly motivated competent Kuwaiti researchers;
scientific, ethical, administrative and financial evaluation of research
protocols submitted by the Ministry's staff and, if feasible, approval for
support.
The activities of this Department are supervised by the Health Research.Council
which consists of eight senior officials draw from the University and the Ministry
of Public Health. This Council is chaired by the Minister of Public Health and it
recommends the overall strategy for health research, allocates budget and periodically
evaluates the whole programme.
To facilitate the work of this Department there is a Steering Committee with
members drawn from the Department itself and from the Ministry of Public Health.
This Committee helps in providing research workers with all the necessary facilities
within the shortest time possible and with a minimum of bureaucratic procedures.
There is also a Scientific Committee composed of eight outstanding scientists drawn
from the University and other health institutions. This Committee identifies
scientists to carry out research projects, assesses referees' reports on project
prop�sals and recommends final decisions.
The Health Research Department has 4 Divisions: research and technical
studies, administration and finance, information and research laboratories. In
the last named it is intended to develop facilities for research which do not exist
in the Ministry of Health's establishments,
EM/RSR/27 EM/MTG.NAT.OFF.RESP.MED.RES./5 page 7
It was emphasized that every effort is being made to coordinate research
activities with the University and avoid duplication. · In fact, a harmonious
cooperation exists between the Ministry and the University in the field of health
research.
EM/RSR/27 EM/MTG.NAT.OFF.RESP.MED.RES./5 page 8
SAUDI ARABIA
The National Centre for Science and Technology (NCST) was established by
Royal Decree on 30 December 1977. It is an independent centre, administratively
attached to the Prime Minister's Office, with a special budget. Its main function
is to promote and encourage applied scientific research and to coordinate the
activities of scientific research organizations and centres in accordance with the
Kingdom's development requirements. Among other things, this centre conducts
applied scientific research programmes, establishes and manages an information
centre which collects data on scientific technological subjects and manpower
resources.
In 1982, 20 medical research proposals were presented to this centre with a
total budget of$ 5.4 million plus a national project for leishmaniasis control
with a $3.7 million budget. Today, there are 40 medical research projects under
review with a total budget of $17.2 million.
Proposals for medical research are subjected to the following review
procedures:
- Staff review: A committee of experts scrutinizes the report to see whether
it complies with the accepted standardized ·research format, and that all
necessary data are fulfilled.
Peer Review: A panel of experts in the field of the particular research
(usually university professors), evaluate it according to design, format,
content, quality, data, references, etc.
- Panel Review: This is carried out to assess the:
(a) potent_ial contribution of the project to Saudi Arabia's development
plan in both the long-and the short-term;
(b) potential contribution to training and development o f Saudi experts
(doctors, technicians, students);
(c) potential contribution to Saudi Arabia's medical facilities, i.e.,
hospitals, laboratories, etc. ;
(d) relative success of the objectives and implementation.
EM/RSR/27 EM/MTG.NAT.OFF;RESP.MED.RES./5 page 9
- Executive decision; This involves the negotiation of the budget and
signing of the contract, as well as requesting for a bie��al _proit'�ss
report; if this is not presented within 30 days the project is suspended,
i.e. financial aid is withheld. Executive decision also involves field trips to the site of the pro�ect by e�erts from the National Centre for Science Technology.,
There are several spe�ialized departments in the Ministry of Health which . .
deal vith cert�in prevalent diseases and conducts research in their respective
fields e.g. Department of.Schistosomiasis,·Malaria, Leishmaniasis, Tuberculosi�,
Rehabilitation, Cancer, Nutrition. Data are collected from various regions. Research is conducted in areas of epidemiological importance in coll_aboration with medical colleges.
In the nev organizational chart of the Ministry of Health a special
oepartment of medical research will shortly be created. There is a shor�age of research workers in �he Ministry of Health establishments as most of those
who have the necessary qualifications and bent of mind would rather work in the
universities.
EM/RSR/27 EM/MTG.NAT,OFF.RESP.MED.RES./5 page 10
SUDAN
The National Council for Research (NCR) is the official governmental body
responsi�le for organization, management, supervision and funding of all research
tq the Sudan. It has several specialized councils of which the Medical Research
Council is one.
The Me�ical Research Council (MRC) consists of� board and an executive body.
Members of the bo�rd, whose number does not exceed thirty, are appointed by the
President of NRC on the basis of their personal merits with regard to research,
�c�demic abilities and professional contributions. The MRC has several committees
which are formed to give advice on matters related to research projects' obliga
tions and relevant academic, ethical and professional matters. The MRC als o
fol1pul�tes research projects according to national requirements and recon:nnenda
tions r�ised by the Health Research Sector Annual Congress; this involves medical
and paramedical personnel together with representatives of the public.
The MRC has several institutions and units under its administrative charge,
i.e. the Tropical Disease Institute, Medicinal Plants Unit and Traditional Medicipe
Institute. An Immunology Training and Research Centre is under formulation.
All the activities of the MRC are directed twards the fulfilment of the
national programme for the building of a science-based state. Existing research
institutions in the Universities and Ministry of Health are the executing bodies
of research. Therefore, research workers in these institutions can apply to the
touncil for research grants, either directly or through their respective research
committees. Organizations can also request support for the improvement of facili
ties for research �nd training.
Coordination of research within the country is ensured through the involvement
of scientists from the universities and the ministries in the planning and execution
of res�arch. Coordination is also ensured through legislation. Any research
project, whether financed by the MRC or otherwise, has first ta be submitted to and
approved by the MRC board before it can be initiated. The MRC may also stop
EM/RSR/27 EM/MTG.NAT.OFF.RESP.MED.RES./5 page 11 ·
research projects which have not fulfilled the above conditions or are found to be
diverting from the national priorities.
A number of constraints have hampered the advance of medical research in the
Sudan. These include absence of research manpower due to brain drain, shortage'
of hard currency for training and purchase of equipment, and shortage of space.
EM/RSR/27 EM/MI'G.NAT.OFF.RESP.MED. RES./5 page 12
SYRIA
The Supreme Council of Sciences. which was established in 1958, is responsible
for encouraging and supervising scientific research in all disciplines of sciences,
including medical research. This is an independent body and is usually headed by the Minister of Higher Education. Due to the scarcity of financial resources,
the main activity supported by the Council is the organization of the annual
"sdence week", held regularly since 1960. During this week. scientists from dif-
ferent disciplines present the results of their studies, In 1982 a Round Table
Conference was organized during the week on the subject of "Man and his Environmene'
Within the Medical Faculties of the Universities 1 the Department of Social
Medicine organizes field studies carried out by the medical students during their
last two years of study. During these field studies the students and their
supervisors spend about a month surveying selected communities for a specific
health problem. The results of these studies are also communicated to the. relevant
health departments. Some research is also carried out by post-graduate students in
the Medical Faculties.
The Directorate of Research and PlaMing in the Ministry of Health is respon
sible for collecting and distributing information on the prevalence of infectious
diseases in the country. From time to time, various disease control programmes
carry out surveys, as part of the programme operations.
There is a considerable shortage of well-qualified workers for research on
relevant health problems in the country. In order to promote and develop research,
there is need to establish a Cotmcil f or Medical Research under the aegis of the
Supreme Council of'Sciences, which should be able to maintain effective links with
the Ministry of Health.
TUNISIA
EM/RSR/ 27 EM/MTG.NAT.OFF.RESP.MED.RES./5 page 13
Until the late 1970s , medical research was not carried out in a particularly
organized manner; improvised means were used, the initiative being left to Medical
Faculty members. The awareness that research, particularly in the social and
health fields, is an integral part of the development process is recent. Hence
the need to define research objectives and strategies in agreement with develop
ment plans.
During the last four years, several institutions connected with medical
research have been established in the country, amongst them the Ministry of Post
graduate Education and Scientific Research (MESRS) in 1979. Its Directorate for
scientific and technical research is responsible for the identification of research
objectives, the preparation of regulatory texts and the coordination of research
programmes.
A Council for Scientific and Technical Research was established in 198 2.
Its main tasks are to define the broad lines of research policy, to prepare the
general research budget and to coordinate activities at national and international
level. It comprises fourteen committees, including one for Medical Science and
another for Social Science. In 1980, the internal structure of the Medical
Faculties was reorganized, and a Standing Scientific Committee was established to
discuss �ducational and scientific matters and to ensure the smooth operation of
research projects.
Within the Ministry of Health - Faculties of Medicine being responsible
both to the Ministry of Health and to the Ministry of Post-graduate Education -
a Technical Committee for the Examination of Research Projects was set up in 1982.
Its functions are to organize and plan research and select from proposed projects
those which could be financed with national funds. Finally, the Hospital Rules
for Procedure (decree of 1981) established, within hospitals. institutes and
specialized centres. a Scientific Committee which defines research project objec
tives, ensures the quality of care and of medical and health-related training.
EM/RSR/ 27 EM/Ml'G.NAT . OFF.RESP.MED.RES./5 page 14
As a result of these developments, a distinctly scientific approach is
emerging.
During the 11Sixth National Plan 1982-86", objectives for medical research
include further definition of priorities for medical research, training and
deployment of multidisciplinary teams and the development of a suitable-infra
structure for research.
YEMEN ARAB REPUBLIC
EM/RSR/27 EM/Ml'G.NAT.OFF.RESP.MED.RES./5 page 15
A need to develop research capabilities in the country has been recently
recognized on account of some of the following factors:
- the great pressure on the existing health services and the need to expand;
- the new concept of primary health care being the backbone•.of future health
services;
- the large number of schools in which health workers are trained; this· has
created a diversity in approach dealing with individual and community health
problems; - the newly established Faculty of Health Sciences will need to develop cur
ricula based on local material and to develop staff versed in research; - a large sector of the popul�tion is still using the system of traditional
medicine; this needs to be scientifically evaluated; - a large number of Yemeni medical and paramedical workers are working
abroad; research activities in the country could induce them to return.
Faced with the above, the Ministry of Health, together with the University
of Sana'a, decided to establish a Medical Research Unit, the main objectives of
which are:
- to link research to the overall developmental aspects in the field of health
and health-related subjects; - to make use of the experience of other countries;
- health manpower development.
So far, the Unit has compiled an inventory.of previous research work carried
out in Yemen Arab R�public. In addition, potential research workers and institu
tions are being identified. Some of the areas which have been chos�n for in-depth
study include: khat (qat), diarrhoeal diseases and perinatal and maternal mortality.
Team leaders trained to study these problems have been appointed and proposals
for research are being prepared.
'F:M./RSR/27 EM/MTG.NAT.OFF.RESP.MED.RES.JS page 16
These initial activities, which started in July 1982, have been supported by
the Swedish Organization, Rada Bamen {RB), and include the provision of a part
time consultant's services.
At this stage of development, the Ministry and the University need mor,
active contribution from WHO in the fields of improving the functions of ihe Unit
and training of researchers, as well as strengthening the links between the Unit
and other research organizations.
IV OVERVIEW
EM/RSR/27 EM/MTG.NAT.OFF.RESP .MEO.RES . /5 page 17
From the review of country reports it will appear that the organization of
medical research is at various stages of deve lopment in the different countries
of the Region. The need to link medical research with national health develop
ment is widely appreciated .
Different mechanisms for managing medical research are evolving in all
countries . All of them are aiming at improving the coordination of research,
in order to optimize available resources and to avoid duplication. Special
efforts ar� being made in most of the countries repre sented at the meeting to
forge close relationships between the Medical Faculties and health services .
The l1edical Faculties were felt to have an important role in training medical
students' in research methods, assessing community health needs and problem
solving.
Nearly all countries are experiencing a shortage of res-earch manpower (both
professional and supporting staff), especially in the field of Health Services
Research.
The involvement of behavioural scientists in medical research is generally
�ither marginal or completely lacking. Also, research continues to be an indivi
dual effort and only a few attempts have been made to develop and maintain multi
disciplinary teams. It appears that only limited efforts have been made to solve
comnmity health problems . and to meet the research needs of health managers ,
It was brought out on several occasions that in order to obtain the required
resources for medical research. it was necessary to involve and obtain the commit
ment of decision ma�ers at the highest level. A well-formulated national research
plan linked to health development efforts and focusing on sol�ing co�unity health problems was a prerequisite for obtaining thi s political comnitment and the neces
sary resour.�es .
During the discussion following the country reports . three deficient areas
related to medical research were defined, as fol lows:
EM/RSR/27 EM/MTG.NAT.OFF.RESP.MED.RES. /5 page 18
- development of scientifically sound and socially relevant research proposals,
which could be considered for funding by national as well as international
research organizations;
- lacking or inappropriate evaluation of research results ;
- lack of utilization of research findings.
Possible approaches to overcome these deficiencies are discussed in a
subsequent section of this report.
V WHO/EM INTER-COUNTRY MEDICAL RESEARCH PROGRAMME (Agenda item 4)
A summary of the EM Inter-Country Research Programme was given. M ention was
made of the tenns of reference and the functioning of the EM Advisory Committee on
M edical Research (EM/ACMR) and of the various inter-country and national research
and training activities sponsored so far. Participants were also informed .regarding
the Medium-Tenn Programme for Research Promotion and Development, formulated for the
period covered by the Organization' s Seventh General Programme of Work ( 1984-1989) .
The various activities proposed to be implemented during this period were specially
brought to the attention of the group.
Infonnation was also provided in brief about the working of the Global ACMR
and its relationship to the Policy Organs of WHO and to the Regional ACMR.s, as well
as on the two WHO Special Programmes for Research and Training in Human Reproduction
and Tropical Diseases.
FYi./RSR/27 FYi./Ml'G. NAT.OFF.RESP.MED.RES./5 page 19
A. GUIDELINES FOR. ESTABLISHING AND STRENGTHENING MECHANISMS FOR PLANNING, IMPLEMENTING AND EVALUATING TARGETED RESEARCH (Agenda Item 5)
Targeted research was considered important, not only for solving national
healtll problems , bu� also for developing the "s cientific mind" . Targeted research
should aim at solving specific problems in a given time . The me chanisms developed for planning , implementing and evaluating such research should be within the frame
work of National Health Development Plans .
The group proposed the following model for planning, imp lementing and evaluating
targeted health research . Thi s can be moditied and adapte d to suit local conditions.
(i) A Department wi thin the Ministry of Health may be designated to shoulder the
responsibility of managing targete d research. In the Ministries of Health of most of the countries represented -at this meeting, such a department already exists under
different names . These departments should be given the mandate to strengthen their coordinating role for research related to health. They should have s trong links wi th the Departments of Planning , Information, Statistics and the Minister' s Office , wi thin the Ministry of Health .
(ii) Mechanisms for planning.
A panel of research planners should be forme d, Such panels exist in most of the countTies under the name of : Committee for Research , Research Council, etc.
This panel may be called "The National Committee for Health Research" .
The memb�rs of this Committee should include representatives from the Minis try of Health , the Universities (Minis try of Higher Education) , the body responsible for overall research at the national level (e.g . the ASRT in Egypt, or the National
Council of Research in the Sudan, etc . ) , and from other relate d minis tries or institutions ac�ording to the exi sting set-up in each country. The Committee should be chaired by the Minister of Health . It should be charged with developing
the national s trategy f or pealth research .
EM/RSR/27 EM/MTG.NAT. OFF.RESP.MED.RES ./5 page 20
The Department of Research (within the Ministry of Health) ,: acting as · ette . . .
Technical Secretariat of the Committee should :
- collect relevant information needed by the Committee, e.g. statistics,
needs assessment, standards, etc.;
- present the infonnation to the Committee;
- receive and screen the various proposals coming from the different �entres
and units, and present them to the Committee ;
- prepare and maintain inventories of the research centres , their activities,
and their potentials, and also the inventories of the available laboratories,
equipment, pe rsonnel, etc. ;
- provide support and technical advice to potential principal . investigator.s.
The Committee while reviewing research proposals, may use criteria such as:
- the relevance of the proposal to the objectives of the. national health
research plan ;
- the applicability of the proposal (time, facilities, available, budget,
etc. );
- the number of population that would benefit from the results .
The Committee should also identi fy areas for targeted research within the
National Plan. These areas can be divided into sub-areas. The research needed
in each area can be assigned by the Committee to certain centres or can be adver
tised for the attention of different applicants .
The Committee should also examine the ethical · implications of research proposals,
and if required, proposals should be forwarded to a special ethical committee for
review .
(i ii) M echanisms for implementation
(a) The Committee is supposed to approve valid proposals , and select the centre or
unit or research team which would carry out the research.
(b) The Department of Research would undertake the formalities for contracting,
allocating funds, securing communications with researchers, etc.
ID.i/RSR/27 EM/!1TG.NAT .OFF.RESP .MED,RES./S page 21
(c) The Department of Research should encourage the developmen�- o_f. �lt,idisciplinary "research teams" i�cluding personnel from the yarious technical categories.
(d) A system of monitoring the implementation of research should be developed within the Department of . Research: - � Evaluators and/or auditors should
periodically visi t . the site of research.to : assess achievements . and sugges t re-phasing or re-planning i f - needed.
(iv) Mechanisms for. evaluation
(a} Fina l reports are submitted to the Departme�t of Research which would the n present them to the Comm�ttee .
(b) The Committee would designate _ the evaluator(s ) • .' An external evaluator is
theoretically preferabl_e , yet a n evaluation team composed, o� a n external
�valuator, a representative ot the Department officially ·responsible for the � . . ' .
area of research , the director of the Depar�nt of Research , and a represen
· ta tive from the centre (or unit or group) which, implemented the proposal can
do this job better . ·
(c) In certain cases a n expert may be . needed to participate in the evaluation.
(d) The approved final report would be received by the Department of Research
�ic:h. should dissemi na te the· �esults to au · interested· par.ties . The
importance of the final report is bow much of it would be utilized, and_ not
hqw much of it would be published. Since there. is a difficulty in rapidly 11ublishing the results in international j ournals , _a periodical (a ifuarterly
for ins tance) can be prepared and published by the Department of Research.
EM/RSR/27 EM/MTG, NAT.OFF .RESP .MED.RES , /5 page :2
An organogr8J!I depicting the above model is given below,
Dev , of National Health Plan
Body responsible for research and technology on national l evel
A
National J)evelopment
Plan
1 Sugges tions for heal th research 1 in National Developn1ent P l an I
National Committee for Health Research
A
National Health Research Plan
1 Suggestions for National Health 1 Research Plan
,- -
Central Department/Unit respons ible for HR in Ministry of Health
I
- - - ), Dissemination of research results
I
,. I
I I
Approved ➔ research
1 Research propos als I
I • Sources of inf. Statis tics Research Centres Department MOH/ Periodical
I
proposals and 1 ➔ Monitoring
Final repotting ' ➔ Evaluation I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
w
Ministry of Health Principal Investig ,
represent flow of information .
Units
Univers ities Research
Ins ti tutions
B. DEVELOPMENT OF R ESEARCH MANPOWER
EM/RSR /27 EM/MTG.NAT.OFF.R ESP.MED. R ES./5 page 23
Lack of research manpower is common in most countries of the Eastern
Mediterranean R egion. It is especially marked in the area of public health.
It was felt that there are three possible approaches to overcome this shortage
of research workers:
- potential research workers employed in the Ministry of Health and academic
institutions should be encouraged to undertake research on a part-time
basis;
- an acceptable career structure and a system of suitable incentives
should be established for medical research workers;
- scientists from other disciplines, especially social and behavioura:
sciences, should be encouraged to be involved in health research.
R egarding the training of research workers, it was suggested that Medical
Schools be encouraged to organize short courses in research principles and methods,
for medical students and young doctors willing to engage in research.
Senior and well-established research workers should take an active part in
training younger scientists. As far as possible, individual scientists, whether
working on their own or as members of a team, should have the opportunity to
initiate and pursue research on their own selected topics. In order to keep the
research workers abreast of recent advances, opportunities should be provided for
their continuing education, including attendance at international conferences and
seminars. R esearch workers holding senior and/or administrative positions should
be exposed to training in management and recognized principles of management should
be applied in research institutions and Medical Faculties.
Some possible areas for cooperation with WHO and other international agencies
in this connection are:
- Assessment of respective research manpower needs and collaboration in over
coming various difficulties encountered by these countries.
- Individual countries should be requested to make a better use of fellow
ships in health research matters, and other facilities offered by the
international agencies, collaborating and training centres.
EM/RSR/27 EM/MrG.NAT.OFF.RESP.MED.RES. /5 page 24
- Short-term training courses and workshops are considered extremely useful
and should be planned frequently by WHO.
- WHO should collaborate in training technicians in the maintenance and on
site repair of equipment used in health res earch.
VI DELINEATION OF AREAS FOR FUTURE COLLABORATION WITH WHO IN THE FIELD OF MEDICAL RESEARCH (Agenda item 6)
The possible modes of WHO collaboration with Member States in the field of
medical research were briefly presented to the participants. These include:
- Promotional meetings involving national scientists. It was felt that
such meetings could be convened in countries of the Region and would be
able to play an effective role in bringing the staff of the Ministries
of Health and Universities together. They could also be used as oc
casions to convey to decision makers the need and importance of medical
research, especially that in support of strategies for HFA/2000. When a
sufficient number of national meetings had been held and should the need
be felt , a regional meeting could be convened.
- It was mentioned that when the Regional Research Progrannne was initiated,
missions had been sent to selected countries to assess their res earch
potential. These missions provided some very useful information which
have assisted the Regional ACMR in deciding on regional priorities for
research and in rec01Illllending activities which could be sponsored by WHO.
In view o f the developments that have taken place since then, the group
felt that such missions should now be sent to countries for specific pur
poses, e.g. ' formulating research programmes in priority areas, developing
plans for institutional strengthening .
In this connection, it was felt that WHO should collaborate in
improving the flow of information on matters pertaining to medical
research .
EM/RSR/27 EM/MTG.NAT.OFF. RESP.MED.RES./5 page 25
- As was discussed under Agenda item 4 , the group was informed regarding the
material support available f rom the Organization in the form of research
grants and research training awards and the possibility for supporting
national meetings and workshops, especially those involving development
of research projects .
The group was infonned regarding the steps being taken by the Organization
to develop and strengthen Health Literature Services in the Region . In
this connection the need for training research workers in -the use of
libraries was· stressed.
- The Organization is making special efforts to promote and develop research
in selected regional p riorities , i .e. primary health care and health man
power development.
- The group was briefed on the role of Collaborating Centres in the field of
medical research and on the new regulations governing their designation.
Efforts are being made to identify and strengthen more institutions .with a
view to their designation as Collaborating Centres in the Region , and to
ensure a more equitable distribution of the Centres in the countries and in
accordance with programme needs therein . Participants were also informed
that the services of Collaborating Centres in other Regions were available
to scientists in this Region.
Collaboration in the field o f medical research is also available through the
Special Programmes for Research, i.e . Diarrhoeal Diseases , TDR and HRP.
The participants expressed interest in receiving scientific publications
from these Programnes.
In addition to the above . it was mentioned that, should the Governments wish ,
technical advisory services can be provided for assessing. planning and evaluating
national research programmes.
Although a formal evaluation of the meeting was not carried out . participants
felt that the obj ectives of the meeting had been achieved and recommended that the
Organization continue to convene such meetings at 1-2 years' intervals, depending upon the p rogress made in the countries during the intervening period. It was
hoped that more countries will be represented in the next meeting.
EGYPT
IRAN
KUWAIT
PAKISTAN
* Did not attend .
ANNEX I
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
Dr Taha Abou Shousha Director
EM/RSR/27 EM/MTG. NAT . OFF.RESP.MED.RES./5 Annex I page i
Medical Documentation Department Ministry of Health Cairo
Dr Hossein Mirchamsy Assistant Director Razi State Institute for Vaccines and Sera Teheran
Dr Ahmed Abdul Karim Al Ansari Director Medical Research Department Ministry of Health Kuwait
Dr Maamoun Ahmed Al Awqati c/o Ministry of Health Kuwait
. * Major-General M .A .Z . Mohydin Chairman of the Pakistan Medical Research Council Director of Medic ine Military Hosp ital Rawalpindi
* Maj or-General M. I . Burney Director National Institute of Health Islamabad
FJ.i/RSR/27 EM/MI'G.NAT. OFF.RESP.MED.RES./5 Annex I page ii
SAUDI ARABIA
�uPAN
SYRIA
TUNISIA
YEMEN ARAB REPUBLIC
Dr Mustafa Taiba Director-General Curative Medicine Ministry o f Health Riyad
Professor Hashim Hassan Irwa Chairman Medical Research Council Khartoum
Dr Ahmed Mahmoud Abbas Director-General National Health Laboratories Khartoum
Dr Adnan Budeir Director Infectious and Endemic Diseases Department Ministry o f Health Damascus
Professor Taoufik Nacef Director National Teacher Training Centre Tunis
Dr Mohamed Hajar Director Medical and Health Services Ministry of Public Health Sana ' a
Dr Abdul Rahman Ishaq Head of the Medical Research Department Minis try of Heal th · Sana ' a
Dr Farouk Partow
Dr J. Hashmi
Prof. Dr M. Abdus salam
Dr W.A. Hassouna
Mrs N. Donald
Mrs c . Putnoky
Mrs M.T. Hadid
WHO SECRETARIAT
Director Programme Management
Acting Regional Adviser Research Promotion and
Development and Secretary of the Meeting
WHO Temporary Adviser
WHO Temporary Adviser
CONFERENCE SERVICES
Translator/Interpreter
Secretary (RPO)
Secretary (CNF)
EM/RSR/27 EM/Ml'G.NAT.OFF. RESP.MED.RES./5 Annex I page iii
World Health Organization
World Health Organization
Director International and Scientific Cooperation
Ins titute of Veterinary Berlin
Head Social and Cultural
Planning Centre Institute of National Planning , Cairo
World Health Organization
'World Health Organization
'World Health Organization
EM/RSR/27 EM/MTG.NAT.OFF.RESP.MED.RES./5 Annex II · page i
ANNEX I I
ADDRESS OF DR HUSSEIN A. GEZAIRY DIRECTOR
WHO EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN REGION
_to t;he
MEETING OF NATIONAL OFFICERS RESPONSIBLE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH
Limassol, Cyprus, 13-15 April 1983
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to this Meeting of Chief . Executives
of Medical Research Councils and National Officers Responsible for Medical Research
in the Ministries of Health in some countries of our Region. We have intended to
have this Meeting for some time. and I am glad that it is now finally being held .
As you are already aware. the main objectives of this Meeting are to review
· and exchange information on mechanisms for managing medical research existing in
the countries represented in this Meeting . and to suggest how WHO can collaborate
in the strengthening of these mechanisms. The Meeting will also address itself
to the issue of developing and directing national research efforts in support of
the global objective of "Health for All · by the Year 2000" .
The plan of action for implementing the global strategy for "Health for All
by the Year 2000" , recently adopted by the World Health Assembly. includes a major
reorientation of researcll ta' ·m;k� ·it m�re relevant to the needs ·of the countries
in building up health systems based on Primary Health Care.
Following the decision taken by · the Governing Bodies of WHO, calling for a
greater involvement of the Regions in the Organization's research activities, an
Advisory Committee on Medical Research was established in 1976 � Some of you are
already familiar with the working of this Committee and the central role i t has
played in the development of the Inter-country Medical Research Programme, since
its inception. A major constraint in the implementation of this Programme, at
the country level, has been the lack of national mechanisms for managing medical
F.M./RSR/27 EM/MTG.NAT. OFF.RESP.MED.RES./5 Annex II page ii
research in many countries of this Region. It is hoped that, following meetings
such as this, suitable mechanisms will be developed which will lead to increasing
participation by the Member States and their scientists, in the inter-country
research activities.
I anticipate that this and subsequent such meetings would lead to a closer
approximation of national and regional priorities and a more effective coordination
of medical research between WHO and Member Countries, and amongst countries them
selves.
I am keen to promote the increased involvement of scientists of our Member
States in the planning and implementation of our research programmes. To some
extent this is, of course, being done at the policy level by the Advisory Conmlittee
on Medical Research, but I am keen to see more scientists involved in the operational
aspects . I hope that during this Meeting , you will also have the opportunity to
provide my staff members present here with a list of research workers and institu
tions, that could be involved in inter-country research activities.
I feel that all countries have a potential for carrying out research.
If resources available for research in different institutes of a country are
effectively coordinated, much progress can be made. · I realize that each country
has its specific individual characteristics, not necessarily shared by others;
however, I hope that by pooling your experiences during this Meeting, you may be
able to evolve guidelines or approaches for overcoming some of the constraints in
effective coordination of medical research in your respective countries.
You wil l , during this Meeting, also be discussing the rather complex issue
of development of research manpower. In view of the prevailing situation, this
calls for some innovative approaches. We have taken some steps in training
nationals in Health Services Research Methodology and Research Management, but
thig is by no means enough to meet the existing and future needs for training
research workers.
EM/RSR/27 EM/MI'G.NAT.OFF.RESP.MED. RES./5 Annex II page iii
I look forward to receiving your suggestions about how WO could collaborate
with Member States in research manpower development.
I am glad that Professor Abdussal"1!1, Chairman of our Advisory Committee on
Medical Research, is vith us to attend this Meeting, and I wish you all a pleasant
stay �nd successful deliberations.
1 , Opening of the Meeting
ANNEX III
AGENDA
2. Adoption of Agenda and Programme of Work
EM/RSR/27 EM/MTG ,NAT,OFF,RESP.MED.RES ./5 Annex Ill
3 . Review o f existing mechanisms for managing medical research in countries of the participants
4. The WHO/EM Inter-country Medical Research Programme
5. Guidelines for establishing or strengthening mechanisms for :
(a) planning, implementing and evaluating targeted research in support of national health development plans;
(b) development of research manpower for both targeted and open-ended research;
(this item will be dealt with in groups)
6. Delineation of areas for future collaboration with WHO in the field of medical research
7 , Adoption of report
Closure of the Meeting .