Introductory remarks by Dr Samlee Plianbangchang, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia, thirtieth session of WHO South-East Asia Advisory Committee on Health Research, Jakarta, Indonesia, 14-16 March 2007

Thirtieth Session of WHO South-East Asia Advisory Committee on Health Research Jakarta, Indonesia, 14-16 March 2007 Introductory Remarks By Dr Samlee Plianbangchang Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia -------------------- - Distinguished Members of the Committee and Special Invitees; - Colleagues; - Ladies and gentlemen: 2 • Let me once again thank the Committee Members, Special Invitees and all others for sparing their valuable time to come to attend this session of the Committee. • Main role of WHO Advisory Committee on Health Research is to advise the Organization on the matters relating to research policies, strategies and programmes. • In WHO, there are two levels of Advisory Committee on Health Research: − global and − regional 3 • This Committee is for WHO SEAR. • During the course of this session of the Committee, we will review implementation of the recommendations of the last session. • At the last session, our deliberations were focused on the subject of “Research on Emerging Infectious Diseases”. • A number of useful recommendations were made. 4 • And those recommendations have been used as the basis of our research work in this important area. • Now, we are in Indonesia where Avian Influenza is rampant. • I am sure, the subject of “Research on Avian Influenza” will attract special attention of the Committee. • And the Committee will provide the useful advice on necessary research in this currently critical area. 5 • At this session, we will also learn about WHO global health policy and strategies; • And the Committee will be informed of WHO work in TDR Special Programme. • This is in addition to the work of WHO Global Advisory Committee on Health Research. • We would like to use the ACHR platform to ensure effective cooperation in health research between the three levels of the Organization. 6 • During the meeting, there will be a brief review of WHO work on health research in SEAR during the biennia 2004-2005 and 2006-2007. • Then, the Committee will deliberate upon key issues and challenges. • These issues and challenges will be the basis for identifying priority activities for our future work, in both short and long- terms. 7 Colleagues; • One of the challenges for WHO today is to ensure national capacity in pursuing health research. • Three main subjects are selected for our deliberations in this connection: 1. Strengthening of human resources for health research; 2. Improving health research management; and 8 3. Promoting the utilization of research results. • In our deliberations, it should be kept in mind that the three subjects are closely interlinked/interrelated. Distinguished Committee Members, Special Invitees; • During the recent past, there has been a concern with the progress in the implementation of the Committee’s recommendations. 9 • It has been perceived in this connection that work of the Committee can be made more effective. • During the course of this meeting, I would also like to invite the Committee to provide considered views on how to further improve the work of our ACHR. • WHO really values the role of ACHR. • And WHO is determined to go vigorously in improving the effectiveness of ACHR’s work. 10 Ladies and gentlemen; • Health research is an indispensable component of health development. • Health research generates evidence for rational planning of health policies, strategies and programmes. • With limited resources, health research for development must be on the basis of countries’ priority health problems. 11 • Health research must produce evidence that are reliable and relevant to the intended use. • This is especially the use in the development and management of health plans and programmes. • It will be a waste of resources, if the results from research are not properly utilized by policy makers, planners and managers. • In this perspective, research capability and capacity in the countries are required. 12 • This is to ensure quality research that can produce reliable and relevant information. • It is the duty of WHO to help strengthen such capability and capacity. • In this connection, I would also like to underline specifically the importance of countries’ capacity in Research and Development. • The research that can ensure countries’ ability in technology development and innovation. 13 • For this, I wish to emphasize the critical need for the country capacity; • The capacity that can enable Member States to produce quality medicines and vaccines, to satisfy the demands of their health services systems. • WHO should also be able to help Member States to gain self-reliance in such a production through promoting and facilitating technology transfer. 14 • This is a long-term endeavour; the endeavour that can ensure sustainable development in the countries’ health care and services. • This endeavour needs to start now. • Otherwise, nothing will ever happen in tangible terms in this critical area of our concern. • Our collective wisdom will be very useful to this long-term development in the Region. 15 • We should vigorously promote and support this effort. • Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to earnestly invite the ACHR to help develop a practical framework for WHO to move forward efficiently in this direction. • The framework that also includes the promotion of partnerships among all stakeholders in Research and Development and Technology Transfer. 16 • This is the development that can respond effectively to the issues relating to medicines and vaccines in this Region. • The development that needs unwavering political and operational commitment between the concerned governments and private sector in areas of pharmaceuticals and biologicals. • I must admit that WHO also has to strengthen its own capacity in this area. • So, that it can support the countries’ efforts better. 17 • We in WHO SEAR are working diligently through various means to ensure our best service to the Member States in this regard. Distinguished participants; • Research is an indispensable item of the development agenda. • Research needs investment, in both human and financial terms. 18 • Most developing countries cannot afford such investment. • We therefore need funds from outside to finance our research efforts. • At the same time, I must say that more efficient use can still be made from the resources that are already available with us. • In this connection, I would like to mention, among others, two areas of concern: 19 • One – poor quality research projects that need to be reduced or eliminated; and • Two – uncoordinated efforts that result in the duplication of activities in health research; these also need to be reduced or eliminated. • If we can do these successfully, the use of our available resources, including research funds, will be maximized. • In our WHO experience, these two areas are the real challenge in the management of health research. 20 • For each financial period, WHO allocates a good sum of funds for supporting research and research-related activities. • However, it is very pity that the return from these activities is rather poor indeed. • This is the issue being faced, in both countries and WHO. • Health research management, which is to be discussed by a Working Group, is a broad subject. 21 • I would like the Group to be specific in its discussions; • And take into consideration also the points I just mentioned. • Even though the subjects of strengthening human resources and utilization of research results will be dealt with by other two Working Groups; • These two important areas are actually parts of overall research management. 22 • Therefore, the three Working Groups must keep in mind the inter-relatedness of the contents of their discussions. Ladies and gentlemen; • Substance-wise, health research must be able to catch up with time. • Health development has evolved over time, according to changes, at both national and international levels; 23 • Health research must therefore be able to orient its course according to the changing environment. • Otherwise, the results generated from research efforts will not be relevant to the needs of today health development. • Our efforts must be in response to the countries’ needs in their development endeavours, in both short and long term. • Always keeping in mind also that these countries’ needs are not static. 24 • They are changing all the time. • This is indeed a challenging task for all of us, who are working in the today public health arena. • Let us commit ourselves during the course of this session of ACHR to move forward unwaveringly; • In ensuring that research is the real cornerstone of health development in the countries of SEAR. Ladies and gentlemen: 25 • I once again wish you all success in your deliberations, and fruitful results. • And I wish all of you a pleasant stay in Jakarta. • Thank you. 26 M:\ RD-OFFICE\ Speeches \2007\ In RDs format\ Introductory remarks- Thirtieth session of ACHR- 14- 16 Mar- INO.doc; 8 March 2007, 10.00 a.m.