Editorial: Are NGOs an interesting partner for research institutions?
Dear reader,
The MMI Network research policy (2009) refers to two main challenges for NGOs related to research: “Get evidence into NGO policy and practice!” and: “Get NGO practice into research!” Based on this policy document, and as a result of a strategy development process within the Network, MMI added the task of developing new partnerships between NGOs and research institutions to its strategic plan 2011-2015: “By the end of 2015, the MMI Network will have contributed to the establishment of mutually beneficial and productive working interfaces between Network members and research institutions both in the North and South.”
In order to be relevant for NGOs, research must be linked to issues the organizations and their partners are dealing with, to their need to find out ways to overcome technical and organisational constraints that impede local health care systems to deliver high coverage, equitable and quality health interventions, particularly at community and district level. The overall objective of this kind of “operational” or “action research” is to significantly improve access to effective interventions by developing practical solutions to common, critical problems in the implementation of these interventions. (see: MMI research policy)
MSF – a benchmark for operational NGO research. The international NGO Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) has become an important contributor to health research, and has dedicated resources to guide operational research by establishing its own ethics review board, an innovation fund, an online publications repository and by regularly contributing to major scientific conferences. However, as “this increased research activity has led to concern that priorities and resources may be diverted away from the essential mandate of care provision for NGOs”, MSF discussed its research policy in a very interesting article in the International Health journal. (Zacharia et al., 2010)
Are NGOs an interesting partner for research institutions? The Canadian Society for International Health recently reviewed the role of non-governmental organizations in global health research, concluding that “there is a need to more effectively include NGOs in all aspects of health research in order to maximize the potential benefits of research. NGOs, moreover, can and should play an instrumental role in coalitions for global health research, such as the CGHRC. With a renewed sense of purpose and a common goal, NGOs and their partners intend to make strong and lasting inroads into reducing the disease burden of the world’s most affected populations through effective research action.” (Delisle et al., 2005)
Exploring mutuality of interest. The MMI Network is interested to discuss with representatives of research institution lessons learnt from past or ongoing research partnerships, present the win-win approach of academic research and NGO-action and discuss the related challenges. A side event to the colloquium “Health Research towards Universal coverage” at the Institute for Tropical Medicine Antwerp, 8-10 November 2010 proposed by the MMI Network and kindly accepted by the colloquium organizers will provide a perfect opportunity for this discussion. You might join us there!
Thomas Schwarz, Executive Secretary
Medicus Mundi International
Health Systems Research and NGOs: building up mutually beneficial partnerships. MMI Workshop, Antwerp, 11 November 2010
MMI ePlatformGet research into policy and practice! MMI topic page
MMI ePlatformMMI research policy
MMI ePlatformThe role of NGOs in global health research for development
Hélène Delisle et al., in: Health Research Policy and Systems 2005, 3:3
www.health-policy-systems.com/content/3/1/3Conducting operational research within a non governmental organization: the example of Médecins Sans Frontières.
R Zachariah et al. in: International Health, Volume 2, Issue 1, March 2010
http://bit.ly/bzsT69
MMI Network: Events
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MMI Network Event
Kick-off event for the Network Strategy 2011-2015
Amsterdam, 5 November 2010 (rescheduled)
MMI Network meeting as a starting point for the implementation of our Network Strategy 2011-2015. The meeting hosted by our Dutch member Wemos will be a full day event (9 AM to 4 PM); so please try to arrange your trip to the Netherlands accordingly. The invitation and documentation will be available in the beginning of October. The day before the meeting, there will be one or two side events on Human Resources for Health, organized by Cordaid/Misereor and the MMI HRH working group. These meetings will take place either in The Hague or Amsterdam. Details will be available soon.
Announcement: www.medicusmundi.org
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MMI Network Event: Medicus Mundi Switzerland
Fighting malnutrition is key for health in developing countries
Basel, 9 November 2010
The announcement of the 9th Swiss Health Cooperation Symposium organized by the Network Medicus Mundi Switzerland is available in German and French.
Announcement: www.medicusmundi.ch
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MMI Network Event: ITM Antwerp
Towards Universal Health Coverage in developing countries
Antwerp, 8-10 November 2010
“The colloquium is aimed at the following expected results: 1. Innovative strategies to enhance Universal Health coverage, and to link them with the MDGs, have been proposed. This implies specific modalities to reach and involve the ‘bottom billion’; 2. Participants are aware of their potential to contribute to the worldwide efforts to enhance access and health coverage; 3. Innovative recommendations at the political and operational level have been put forward for the public and private Belgian, European and international stakeholders in health development cooperation; 4. Emerging voices expressed new views, findings and strategies and the research agenda has been updated.”
Announcement: www.itg.be/internet/colloq2010
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MMI Network Event
Health Systems Research and NGOs: Building up mutually beneficial partnerships
Antwerp, 11 November 2010
Side event to the colloquium “Health Research towards Universal coverage” at the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp. (see editorial of this newsletter)
Announcement: www.medicusmundi.org
MMI Network: News and Resources
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MMI Network: Reporting
Medicus Mundi Spain: Annual Report 2009
“El trabajo que se resume en las páginas siguientes es fruto del esfuerzo de todas las personas que creen en medicusmundi, y estoy seguro de que gracias a ese esfuerzo vamos a poder encarar las dificultades y retos a los que la cooperación al desarrollo va a tener que enfrentarse en estos momentos de grave crisis mundial. Energías no nos faltan, porque creemos en la necesidad de hacer cada día realidad nuestra misión: que la salud sea un derecho al alcance de todas las personas.” (Raúl Aguado García Presidente de medicusmundi) The Annual Report of Medicus Mundi Spain is available in Spanish only.
Download: www.medicusmundi.es
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MMI Network Statements: ACHAP
I see a strong network of human resources for health advocates…
HRH Global Resource Center | Doris Mwarey, the Regional Human Resources Specialist with the African Christian Health Associations Platform (ACHAP) talks about the importance of human resources management for faith-based organizations, the way ACHAP is helping the African Christian Health Association community to learn from each other in terms of human resources for health, and the road ahead for future human resources for health leaders of faith-based organizations. (“HRH champions in developing countries” interview)
Source: www.hrhresourcecenter.org/mwarey
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MMI Network Statement: Cordaid
Care for care – Trends on Home Based Care Leadership
cordaidpartners.com | The 2009 Cordaid HIV and AIDS Award rewarded Home Based Care Leadership. Two awards were handed out by Ms. Marijke Wijnroks, Dutch AIDS Ambassador, on behalf of Cordaid and the Review Panel. Watch the related movie on the YouTube channel of Cordaidpartners.
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MMI Network Projects
Misereor: Health projects
The new website of Misereor (German version) provides an excellent overview and a lot of detail information on the organization’s health projects and partnerships around the world.
> Source: www.misereor.de/
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MMI Networking Tools
Health systems strengthening: Starting points
MMI | There is no proper “health systems strengthening” topic page in the MMI ePlatform. We rather invite you to have a look at the WHO’s framework for action for strengthening health systems and at a very inspiring collection of resources by the Antwerp Institute for Tropical Medicine and some of their partners. The WHO framework for action itself is an open invitation – for us and others, as its main title reads as follows: “Strengthening Health Systems to improve health outcome: Everybody’s business”.
MMI HSS starting points: www.medicusmundi.org
MMI Network topics and thematic guides: www.medicusmundi.org
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MMI Networking Tools: MM Switzerland
Human Resources for Health: Global Shortage
MM Switzerland | Worldwide there is a shortage of health personnel. Especially developing countries are affected, where the health systems are already weak. The shortage is threatening the health of the poorest. “Human Resources for Health: Global Shortage” is an online dossier provided by the Network Medicus Mundi Switzerland on their website.
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