WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE WESTERN PACIFIC BUREAU REGIONAL DU PACIFIQUE OCCIDENTAL REGIONAL COMMITTEE Forty-sixth session Manila 11-15 September 1995 WPRlRC46/12
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ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA sANTE
4 July 1995 ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
Provisional agenda item 13
DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTH RESEARCH
This document summarizes the major activities of the regional research promotion and development programme from July 1993 to June 1995. It outlines relevant activities of the special programmes conducted in the Region by WHO headquarters, as well as describing research conducted in connection with the regional priorities. The
observations and recommendations made by the Western Pacific Advisory Committee on Health Research and the directors of health research councils or analogous bodies at their joint meeting in August 1994 are annexed for endorsement by Member States.
WPRlRC46/12 page 2
1. INTRODUCTION
WHO's involvement in health research stems from article 2(n) of its Constitution, which calls on the Organization "to promote and conduct research in the field of health". The WHO research programme ensures substantial participation by regions and countries. WHO's policy has been to support an increase in national research capabilities, particularly in developing Member States. It has also endeavoured to promote effective and efficient systems for health research management, including information support for research. The emphasis has been on applied or operational research rather than on basic or fundamental research. WHO's research programmes generally have two interrelated purposes: to obtain results that are relevant and applicable, and to strengthen the research capacity of the countries themselves. These two purposes are evident in the work of the global programmes such as the Programmes for Control of Diarrhoeal Diseases and Control of Acute Respiratory Infections, the Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction, and the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases. In addition, these purposes underlie all the research programmes of WHO to a greater or lesser extent.
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2. MAJOR ACTIVITIES
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2.1
National health research management mechanisms Member States have been encouraged by the Regional Committee, the Western Pacific
Advisory Committee on Health Research (WPACHR) and the working group meetings of directors of health research councils or analogous bodies to develop adequate mechanisms for coordinating their research activities. These should link research priorities to the solution of major health or
health-related problems. Focal points to coordinate and manage activities have now been established in 14 countries: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, China, Fiji, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands and Viet Nam.
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2.2
Strengthening of national research capability
National workshops on research design and methodology are organized to provide a broad framework of research methodology for use in biomedical or health systems research. Sixteen
workshops have been held since 1981, with the latest being held in Beijing, China, in September 1994. The manual on Health research methodology: A guide for training in research methods has been translated and printed in Vietnamese (1993) and Chinese (1994). It is currently being translated into the Lao language. Research training grants were awarded to researchers from Fiji (1), Malaysia (I), the Philippines (3), the Republic of Korea (I) and Viet Nam (I). Since July 1993, 19 contracts for research projects have been supported by WHO, totalling US$234 715 (Annex I).
2.3
Collaborating centres
The network of WHO collaborating centres is an important and useful mechanism for carrying out activities in support of the Organization's programmes at all levels. At the end of 1994, the number of collaborating centres in the Region totalled 214 (Annex 2). The majority are located in China (67), Japan (50) and Australia (42). The programmes with the most centres include clinical, laboratory and radiological technology (21), other communicable disease prevention and control activities (19), and human reproduction research (14). The first annual meeting of the heads of all WHO collaborating centres in Malaysia was held in September 1993. It served to ensure due recognition of their activities; to facilitate cooperation among them and with other departments; and to discuss ways in which the Ministry of Health can support and use the centres. The second annual meeting of the group was held in December 1994 during which the activities of the four centres were reviewed and discussed. The second meeting of the directors of WHO collaborating centres in Australia was held in February 1994. The participants discussed the role of the centres in relation to WHO, the Australian Government and each other. Several major issues relating to operations were raised: recognition of the centres' capabilities by the Government; recognition of the centres' responsibilities and the need for long-term
obligations by the employing authority such as university or college;
WPRlRC46/12 page 4
commitment of resources by all parties to enable sustainable development activities to be undertaken in developing countries; development purposes. The second national meeting of WHO collaborating centres in Japan was held in February 1995. The meeting discussed the roles of the centres and the future directions for and possible linkage of the centres into a consortium for programme
improvement of work, communication and coordination of WHO collaborating centres. The heads of WHO collaborating centres for health education, occupational health, and traditional medicine in China also held meetings, strengthening collaboration and communication among the centres within the same WHO programme. To strengthen the information exchange and coordination among WHO collaborating centres, their activities (based on reports reviewed in 1994) were summarized and printed for dissemination. The WHO Regional Centre for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases and Nutrition, located at the Institute for Medical Research in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has continued to undertake numerous research projects; perform many specialized diagnostic tests; train large numbers of
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individuals from both within and outside Malaysia; and provide many consultative and advisory services. It was involved in regional collaborative research projects with Brunei Darussalam and the Lao People's Democratic Republic (nutrition); China (malaria); and Viet Nam (control of diarrhoeal diseases).
3. ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE GLOBAL PROGRAMMES
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3.1
Programmes for Control of Diarrhoeal Diseases (CDD) and Control of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) During the reporting period (between July 1993 and June 1995), four COD-supported
research projects were funded and one proposal development workshop was conducted in the Region, with a total budget of US$ 122 200. Approximately 31 % of that amount was allocated to
strengthening research capability (the workshop), with the balance going to four research projects in China, the Philippines and Viet Nam. The research projects were: evaluating the impact of the
WPRlRC46/12 pageS
national diarrhoeal diseases control programme on childhood mortality in the Philippines; determining the factors influencing the duration of exclusive breast-feeding in China; a multicentre study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of reduced-osmolarity oral rehydration salt solution in children with acute watery diarrhoea in Viet Nam; and a focused ethnographic study on the control of diarrhoeal diseases at community level among the Kinh population in Viet Nam. Acute respiratory infections, particularly pneumonia, are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children in the developing countries in the Region. Every year 300 000 deaths from acute respiratory infections are estimated to occur in children under five years of age in
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the Region. In view of this, case management and behavioural research continue to be priorities, and increasing emphasis is given to research related to preventive interventions and health systems. During the period 1993-1994, 12 research projects were supported by the Programme in Australia, China, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Viet Nam, for improvement of case management. Focused ethnographic studies were conducted in China and the Philippines in order to develop methods which can be used in developing home care messages. 3.2 Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP) The activities of this special programme may be categorized as: (I) research III
human
reproduction; and (2) strengthening of national research capacities in reproductive health. During 1993 and 1994, 157 grants were provided, with a budget of US$2 418 832. Of this, 76.4% was for research projects. The majority of the studies concerned the safety and efficacy of existing contraceptive methods and the development of new birth control technologies. Other studies included psychosocial factors affecting family planning acceptance, the epidemiology of infertility, health service aspects of family planning, information management, maternal death surveillance, prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases, gender power relations, risk factors of pelvic inflammatory disorders and development of home-based mother's records. The remaining funds were allocated to strengthening research capability in reproductive health, including family planning. Institutions were supported by provision of supplies and
equipment, as well as research training, and by collaborating in developing expertise and planning research.
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3.3
Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) Of the diseases covered by the Programme, malaria, schistosomiasis, filariasis and leprosy
continue to be public health problems in the Region. Leishmaniasis is of concern only in certain areas in China, while trypanosomiasis and Chagas disease do not occur in the Region. During 1993 and 1994, 125 projects were supported by the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, with a budget of about US$3.7 million (Annex 3). Approximately 44% of the total amount was allocated to institution strengthening and training activities. The balance was allocated to research projects. Long-term support was provided to institutions in China (6), the Philippines (4) and Viet Nam (I). The Malaria Control Service of the Philippines through WHO continues to produce and distribute globally ill vitro kits for testing the sensitivity of malaria parasites to antimalarial drugs as well as low-cost portable incubators, which can be used where a constant temperature is required.
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4. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES IN THE REGIONAL PRIORITY AREAS
4.1
Environmental health Studies were carried out in China, Malaysia and Viet Nam to compile existing information on
urban health and environmental problems and formulate plans for environmental health risk management and improving the health of the urban population.
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4.2
Eradication and control of selected diseases The Department of Virology, National Institute of Health, Tokyo, Japan, a regional reference
laboratory for poliomyelitis eradication, continued to develop and assess the L alpha tissue culture cell lines. It is expected that use of these cells will make it easier for the poliomyelitis diagnostic laboratories in the Region to detect and grow wild poliovirus isolates. It is important that operational research in malaria remains relevant to the control programme
objectives and does not cause an additional burden on routine activities and the community. Research
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is being actively pursued in areas of Plasmodium jalciparum drug resistance monitoring (Cambodia, the Lao People's Democratic Republic and Viet Nam); methods of improving malaria diagnosis and treatment through the private sector (Cambodia); developing single treatment packets for treating mosquito nets in Papua New Guinea and Cambodia; and improving methods of P.falciparum
diagnosis in the absence of a microscope (in the nine malarious countries in the Region). A study on the treatment of bamboo curtains with permethrin in Viet Nam has indicated that this method provides good control of the main vector of dengue haemorrhagic fever, Aedes aegypti. There was also a related reduction in cases. These results have practical application and indicate that
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treatment of curtains and different fabrics inside houses can provide protection against the bites of dengue vectors in other countries.
4.3
Health promotion A project to assess health promotion needs in the Republic of Korea was undertaken to form
the basis for the development of the health promotion programme. This research activity is to be divided into two phases. During the first phase, from June to September 1992, a survey on health promotion needs was conducted, involving 330 patients, 2600 households and ) 76 health centre professionals. In the proposed second phase, in-depth data analysis will be performed to find
common needs and suitable types of health care and health promotion programmes. Persons with high-risk behaviours will be interviewed. The WHO Collaborating Centre for Health Promotion through Research and Training in Sports Medicine (Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Tokyo Medical Centre, Japan) has conducted various studies on the effect of strenuous exercise (triathlon) on the different aspects of the human body in order to identify the limitations of exercise and thereby determine the optimal volume and level of exercise for health promotion. The topics of these studies can be
categorized under the following general headings: cardiac function, muscle aerobic capacity, the immune system, mood state profiles, serum vitamin E and blood hormones.
WPR/RC46/12 page 8
4.4
Strengtbening management A fourteen-county study is being conducted in China to provide infonnation that can be used
to formulate national policy on health insurance schemes for rural areas. The fourteen-county sample is stratified by economic level and type of insurance scheme. It is anticipated that this research will enable policy-makers to guide the development of insurance programmes in rural areas more effectively by highlighting what may be the significant factors which influence successful insurance programmes. Collaborative research continues with the Korea Institute of Health Services Management to develop policy and management analysis frameworks in the area of health care financing and health insurance. The purpose of these frameworks is to structure debates, research, analysis and policy decision-making in such a way as to focus a decision's impact more effectively on identified development goals to learn more from the decisions that are subsequently made.
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4.5
Other areas The study on the epidemiology and characterization of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates in
China was begun in June 1994. Of these, 30.6% were resistant to penicillin, 9.8% to tetracycline; 5.9% to spectinomycin; and 4.8% to ceftriaxone. The 17 penicillinase-producing N. gonorrhoeae were identified by iodometric method. Plasmid analysis has shown that different sizes of plasm ids related to different antibiotics. The work is still continuing. A study of coronary heart disease in a Chinese population is being carried out in Beijing. China, to measure the possible causal factors that are likely to increase the risk of coronary heart disease in the study population currently living in Beijing, and to compare trends and detenninants of coronary heart disease between China and other Asian nations. Research on intervention treatment of Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT), as a part of a programme on "Five-year diabetes prevention and management in nine provinces and districts in China (1994-1999)" is being carried out in China. The 6000 IGT persons diagnosed in a survey from different ethnic groups, geographic areas and economic classes are randomized to a control group or one of three treatment groups: diet only, exercise only, or diet and exercise. It will be detennined whether these intervention strategies are associated with a reduction in the incidence of diabetes. The
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· . WPR/RC46/12 page 9
initial study shows positive results, demonstrating that diabetes can be prevented by lifestyle modifications. A muticentre study on childhood accidents involving China, Japan, Hong Kong, the Philippines and the Republic of Korea is ongoing. The multicentre study on evaluation of
psychosocial rehabilitation in Japan, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia and Singapore started in 1995. Evaluation of psychoeducation with neuroleptics for schizophrenia and with
low-dose maintenance for prevention of its relapse in the Chinese rural areas has been conducted in Shandong, China. A bio-psychosocial study on subtyping of schizophrenia is being carried out by the Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan.
-. Research guidelines for evaluating the safety and efficacy of herbal medicines, prepared by a Working Group in October 1992, was published by the Regional Office in 1993. Based on this, the guidelines for evaluating traditional Vietnamese medicines were developed in Viet Nam and used by the responsible government agency for evaluating research projects. Two workshops were organized in Viet Nam in 1993 to introduce research methodology in traditional medicine. In June 1994, a Working Group met in Aomori, Japan, to finalize the publication Guidelines
for clinical research methodology for acupuncture, which is the first of its kind in the world. These guidelines on both herbal medicine and acupuncture integrate basic principles and methods of modem scientific research with the nature and characteristics of traditional medicine. All 12 WHO collaborating centres for traditional medicine in the Region were actively involved in the following areas of research: mechanisms of acupuncture treatment; effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for pain relief, coronary heart disease, etc.; safety and efficacy of traditional herbal medicine; and pharmacological, toxicological and phytochemical studies on medicinal plants. Projects on the use of herbal medicine for malaria, cancer and other diseases were conducted in China, the Lao People's Democratic Republic and Viet Nam. A survey on medicinal plants was performed in selected provinces in the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Evaluation methodology is being developed by the College of Nursing, University of the Philippines, to measure the level and effectiveness of HlV-related content in the nursing curriculum. A comparison will be made between the integration of the content in selected rural and urban nursing universities and colleges.
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Over the last decade, a number of knowledge, attitude, behaviour and practice surveys, and studies of HIV risk behaviours have been undertaken in the countries of the Region. A critical
analysis of these existing studies will assess the comparative risk of HIV infection in the countries, determine the current levels of AIDS knowledge and identify gaps in existing research.
5. OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE WESTERN PACIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON HEAL TH RESEARCH (WP ACHR) AT ITS FIFTEENTH SESSION IN 1994
The Western Pacific Advisory Committee on Health Research held its fifteenth session in Manila in August 1994 as a joint meeting with the directors of health research councils or analogous bodies. The observations and recommendations, arranged by subject, are shown in Annex 4.
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RESEARCH AREAS SUPPORTED DURING THE PERIOD JULY 1993 - JUNE 1995
Research area Accident prevention Cardiovascular diseases Clinical, laboratory and radiological technology Community water supply and sanitation Diarrhoeal diseases Disease vector control Malaria Managerial process for national health development Nutrition Parasitic diseases Prevention and treatment of mental and neurological disorders Psychosocial and behavioural factors in promotion of health and human development Workers' health TOTALS
Australia
China
Hong Kong
Japan
Malaysia
Republic of Korea
Viet Nam
Total
I
I
1 I I
1 I
1 1 1 2 2
I
1 1 I I 4
I
I
1 4
1 1 2 2
I I 2 1
10
1
2
1
2
19
~...
'CI~ fO)
"'CI
~
IJQ"" ~
~
... ;:::. "'N
Q\
WPRlRC46/12 page 12
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SUMMARY OF COLLABORATING CENTRES IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC REGION (31 DECEMBER 1994) Papua New Guinea Republic of Korea
Programme AIDS Acute respiratory infections Accident prevention Blindness and deafness Cancer Cardiovascular diseases Clinical, laboratory and radiological technology Community water supply and sanitation Control of environmental health hazards Diarrhoeal diseases Disease vector control Drug and vaccine quality Environmental health in rural and urban development
AustraJia I
China
Hong Kong
Japan
Malaysia
New Zealand
Philippines
Singapore
Viet Nam
Total I
I I I I I
I
2 I
3 I I I
3 4 3 4
3 2 6 I I
7 II
6
I
3
21 I
2 I
I
I
4
1 1 1 1 1 1 I
I
5 1 3
1
1 I 1
Food safety Health information support -
1
1 2
1
5 2
~ N
~ ~ ~ ~
"=
~
~ ~ .......... \H N
Programme Health of the elderly Health risk assessment of toxic chemicals Health situation and trend assessment Health systems research and development Human reproduction research Informatics management Leprosy Malaria Maternal and child health Oral health Organization of health systems based on primary health care Other communicable disease prevention and control activities Other noncommunicable disease prevention and control activities
Australia
China
Hong Kong
Japan 2 1
Malaysia
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Republic of Korea 1
> Singapore Viet Nam ==
Total 4
~
~
'0
~
~
~~ ~
"'C
('l
I
~ ...
1
I
2 1
3 2 2 1 1 1 1
3 14
3
7
2 1
1 I
I
1 1
3 2
2 2
I
7 5 •
1
6
2
1
2
12
4
2
8
1
3
1
19
2 -
1
1
4
I
)
)
)
)
. Programme Parasitic diseases Prevention and control of alcohol and drug abuse Prevention and treatment of mental and neurological disorders Psychosocial and behavioural factors Public information and education for health Rehabilitation Research and development in the field of vaccines Research promotion and development Sexually transmitted diseases Tobacco or health Traditional medicine Tuberculosis Workers' health Zoonoses TOTALS I I I I I I Australia
China
Hong Kong
Japan I I
Malaysia I
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Philippines I
Republic of Korea 2
Singapore
Viet Nam
Total 10
5 1
I
3
5
3
8
I
I I I
2 2 I
2 2
I
7
5 I I
2 I
2 2 i I
1 7 I
1 2 2 I
12 2 J I
1 4 I
2 I
2
I
11
2 42
3 I
67
50
4
7 - - - ---
I -
10 -
16 --
14
2
214 ,
= ~ N
~
1& ~
~~ ~ ~ UlN
~
......
WPRlRC46/12 page 16
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SUMMARY OF TDR-FUNDED PROJECTS IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC REGION BY COUNTRY AND BY COMPONENT FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1993 TO DECEMBER 1994 (Number of projects given in brackets) Papua New Guinea Republic of Korea
AusComponent traJia (I)
Cambodia
China
French Polynesia
Japan
Lao P_D.R.
Malaysia
New Zealand
Philippines
Viet Nam
Component total (8)
Applied field research Director'S Initiative Fund Epidemiology and field research Filariasis Institutionstrengthening Leprosy Malaria Product development unit Schistosomiasis Socioeconomic research Strategic research Training Vector biology
(I) 7300
1000 (2) 29600
(4) 87500 (1) 15000
(1) 13482 (1) 14500 (1) (1)
(1) 9980
119262
I !
(I) 7000
3000
(6) 69100 (1) 10000
1 I
I
10000
(I) 23200 (6) 409 600 (2) 46 841 (12) 812 387 (2) 64799 (8) 106 068 (3) 52000
(3) 80000
(1)
11000 (4) 200 000 (1) 50000 (2) 29200 (1 ) 85000
(5) 114200 (11) 659600
(I) 25000 (2) 16000 (2) 75670
(5) 233875
(II) 419916 (19) 956057 (2) 64799 (8) 106 068
( 1) 9900 (3) 116921
(1)
17 136
(2) 27036 (6) 149521
(I) 8400 (21) 556336 (3) 44200
(2) 24200 (1) 20000 (1 ) 42440 (14) 223867 (5) 132415
(I) 2579
(43) 977637 (3) 44200
Country tota1s
(22) 1050 486
(1) 7300
(48) 1 310945
(3) 80000
(3) 39200
(2) 23482
(5) 61 SOO
(2) 28000
(4) 128010
(25) 684 858
(2) 29200
(8) 274415
(125) 3717396
1M
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~
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WPRlRC46/12 page 18
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WPR/RC46/12 page 19
ANNEX 4
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE WESTERN PACIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH RESEARCH AT ITS FIFTEENTH SESSION IN 1994
The members of the Western Pacific Advisory Committee on Health Research (WPACHR) and the Directors of Health Research Councils or Analogous Bodies (HRC/AB) made the following joint observations and recommendations:
Strateiic plan for research
Recommended that: (I) WPRO gives priority to the development of a five-year strategic plan for health
research for the Region; (2) the strategic plan be developed by a task force appointed by the Regional Director
from the WPACHR and the HRC/AB members and staff of WPRO; (3) the task force considers the following criteria for inclusion of a research programme
in the stra}egic plan: (a) that WPRO be involved either by provision or facilitation of funding support
or provision of technical expertise and advice; (b) that there would be advantages in a regional or intercountry collaborative
research programme. (4) the terms of reference of the task force be as follows: (a) (b) to establish the criteria and process for identification of priorities; to establish priorities for research as determ ined by these criteria;
WPRlRC46/12 page 10 Annex 4 (c) to develop a plan for implementation of strategies III
the recommended
priority areas, which would include (for each area): (i) (ii) (iii)
goals and objectives; proposed activities; proposed time-frame for implementation; proposed funding sources and cost; outcome measures for programme evaluation.
(iv) (v) (5)
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the task force be requested to report its findings to the next joint meeting of
WPACHR and HRC/ AB in July 1995.
Global ACHR
Noted that the report of the Global ACHR, based on the 1993 document "Research for health: principles, perspectives and strategies", recommended new dimensions to give proper
emphasis to infrastructural, economic, environmental and sociobehavioural aspects. Rttommended that policy planning and priority setting for health research be promoted and that scientists with a broader range of skills in health research, including specialists in political, economic, social and behavioural sciences be recruited or trained to help in policy research. Programme-specific research Secretariat Noted the actions taken by the WPRO Secretariat in response to the recommendations made at the last WPACHR meeting and the progress made towards strengthening the research capabilities in Member States by means of national workshops in research design and methodology, research training awards and research grants. Recommended that these activities be further enhanced and strengthened.
WPRJRC46/12 page 21 Annex 4 Global Programmes
(I)
ARI/CDD
Noted with satisfaction the progress made by the programmes on acute respiratory infections and control of diarrhoeal diseases in the past two years. Recommended that: (a) the programmes be strengthened by further preventive research and research into
case management, especially behavioural research concerning health workers and mothers; (b) the methods of improving communication between health workers and mothers and
between health workers themselves be investigated; (c) the CDD programme gives proper emphasis to prevention and control of cholera.
(2)
GPA Noted the progress made by the Western Pacific Region in regard to the Global Programme
on AIDS, in particular its emphasis on prevention.
(3)
Recommended that WHO: (a) provides guidelines on the appropriate use of existing diagnostic tests in a
cost-effective manner; (b) supports initiatives to develop diagnostic testing methods which are of low cost, high
sensitivity and specificity, and can be applied easily and rapidly.
HRP Noted with satisfaction the progress made by the Special Programme of Research,
Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction and the active cooperation between HRP and the Regional Office.
WPRlRC46/12 page 22 Annex 4 Recommended that further behavioural and social research be undertaken to increase the acceptability of contraceptives in developing countries.
(4)
TDR Noted with satisfaction the actions taken by WHO's Special Programme for Research and
Training in Tropical Diseases in the Region during the 1992-1993 biennium.
Health of the elderly Noted the increasing age of populations in the Region, the potentially adverse effects of social and cultural changes on the elderly, and the great scope for preventive measures in old age. Recommended that: (I) WHO/WPRO encourages individual countries to: (a) (b) (2) include health care of the elderly as a priority area; include elderly people in epidemiological and intervention studies.
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a five-year strategic plan be developed for coordinating research in health care of
elderly people in the Region. In the plan, consideration should be given to investigating the effects of differences in lifestyle, nutrition and care. The plan should include means for developing one or more documentation and resource centre(s) in the Region. (3) short-term research training grants and research fellowships be used in the area of
health care of the elderly.
Regional Centre for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases and Nutrjtjon Noted with satisfaction the achievements and the continued successful implementation of the objectives of the Regional Centre and the intercountry collaboration between Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia and the Lao People's Democratic RepUblic.
WPR/RC46/12 page 23
Aooex4 Recommeoded that the activities of the Centre be endorsed and that the Centre continue to
be designated as the WHO Regional Centre for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases and Nutrition.
Health promotion and environmental health Recommeoded that the Subcommittees on Health Promotion and Environmental Health be
convened as soon as possible to provide guidance to the Regional Office and WPACHR on new research needed in these two important areas.
Research capability strengthenini Recommeoded that the different research training needs of countries in the Region be
recognized and innovative means be developed and implemented to assist needy countries with practical support in the development of a trained research workforce.
Research coordination Noted with pleasure that Australia has agreed to create and circulate a resource handbook to
assist directors of HRC/AB in networking. Recommeoded that: (1)
WPRO establishes regular communication mechanisms with HRC/AB, as well as
countries' health ministries with respect to support of specific research activities. This could be achieved by copying relevant correspondence. (2) WPRO undertakes further initiatives to facilitate research collaboration between
countries and between regions (in particular the Regional Office for South-East Asia) on particular health issues (e.g., communicable diseases, malaria) where intercountry action is needed to deal effectively with the problem.
WPRlRC46J12 page 24
Annex 4 Research management Recommended that:
(1)
10
reviewing the membership of the Global ACHR, consideration be given to
ensuring that there is adequate representation of research councils on the Committee; (2) WPRO encourages health ministries to seek advice from their HRC/AB, where
appropriate, in the process of designation or redesignation of WHO collaborating centres which have a research component to their activities; (3)
WPRO requires WHO collaborating centres that have a research component to their
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activities to inform their national HRCIAB annually of their activities for inclusion in the HRCIAB network handbook; (4) further effort be made by RPD/WPRO, with support from the existing HRC/AB
group, to ensure that China, Japan and the Republic of Korea identify a focal point for health research administration to allow a representative to be invited to the next HRC/AB meeting and to participate in the network arrangements; (5) the next meeting of the HRC/AB be again held as a joint meeting with WPACHR,
with a specific time set aside on the agenda for the HRC/AB representatives to meet on their own.