Funders urged to invest in Africa's research capacity
November / December 2014 | Volume 13, Issue 6
Photo courtesy of World Health Summit 2014
Fogarty Director Dr. Roger I. Glass (right) participated
in a discussion about the importance of research
capacity in sub-Saharan Africa during the recent
World Health Summit.
Sub-Saharan Africa has made remarkable strides in strengthening its health systems - and research is integral to guiding and sustaining further progress, Fogarty Director Dr. Roger I. Glass said at the recent World Health Summit in Berlin, Germany. The summit is held annually to address global health issues.
Over the past five years, the U.S. Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI) has helped transform the way African medical schools prepare trainees for careers in health care, Glass noted. MEPI institutions have revamped their medical school curricula, updated libraries and adopted technology in many aspects of education, all within an environment that values and nurtures science. He reported new research opportunities have helped attract and retain faculty, expand South-South collaborations, and build research expertise both nationally and regionally.
But much remains to be done to strengthen research capacity in Africa, Glass said, urging his peers from other countries to consider adding their own investments to the cause.
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