Linking research and development to strengthen health systems in Africa.

摘要

Better co-ordination and greater linkages between research and development agencies are essential to improve health in Africa and increase impact on the Millennium Development Goals. The European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership's (EDCTP's) research funding requires partnerships between European and African research institutions and for substantial amounts to be allocated to networking and African capacity development (Mgone & Salami 2009; Zumla et al. 2010). The original goal of EDCTP at its inception in 2003 was to accelerate research and development of intervention tools against HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in sub-Saharan Africa, but an expansion of this is now under consideration. In June 2010, EDCTP organised a meeting of representatives of research funders and development agencies from 20 countries. Here, we report the opportunities and challenges for collaboration between these groups.