Building coherence and synergy among global health initiatives

Health Research Policy and Systems

Garry Aslanyan¹  John Reeder¹  Miriam Faid²  Fabio Zicker² 

[1] Special Programme for Research Training in Tropical Disease (TDR), World Health Organization, Geneva, 1211, Switzerland;Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Av Brasil 4036, 8th floor, room 814, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-361, Brazil

关键词: Research and development;    Neglected tropical diseases;    International health;    Global health initiatives;   

Others  :  1235208
DOI  :  10.1186/s12961-015-0062-3

 received in 2015-07-29, accepted in 2015-11-17,  发布年份 2015

【 摘 要 】

Background

The fast growth of global health initiatives (GHIs) has raised concerns regarding achievement of coherence and synergy among distinct, complementary and sometimes competing activities. Herein, we propose an approach to compare GHIs with regard to their main purpose and operational aspects, using the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR/WHO) as a case study. The overall goal is to identify synergies and optimize efforts to provide solutions to reduce the burden of diseases.

Methods

Twenty-six long-established GHIs were identified from among initiatives previously associated/partnered with TDR/WHO. All GHIs had working streams that would benefit from linking to the capacity building or implementation research focus of TDR. Individual profiles were created using a common template to collect information on relevant parameters. For analytical purposes, GHIs were simultaneously clustered in five and eight groups according to their ‘intended outcome’ and ‘operational framework’, respectively. A set of specific questions was defined to assess coherence/alignment against a TDR reference profile by attributing a score, which was subsequently averaged per GHI cluster. GHI alignment scores for intended outcome were plotted against scores for operational framework; based on the analysis of coherence/alignment with TDR functions and operations, a risk level (high, medium or low) of engagement was attributed to each GHI.

Results

The process allowed a bi-dimensional ranking of GHIs with regards to how adequately they fit with or match TDR features and perspectives. Overall, more consistence was observed with regard to the GHIs’ main goals and expected outcomes than with their operational aspects, reflecting the diversity of GHI business models. Analysis of coherence indicated an increasing common trend for enhancing the engagement of developing country stakeholders, building research capacity and optimization of knowledge management platforms in support of improved access to healthcare.

Conclusions

The process used offers a broader approach that could be adapted by other GHIs to build coherence and synergy with peer organizations and helps highlight the potential contribution of each GHI in the new era of sustainable development goals. Emerging opportunities and new trends suggest that engagement between GHIs should be selective and tailored to ensure efficient collaborations.

【 授权许可】

   
2015 Zicker et al.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

Figure 3.

【 参考文献 】

• [1]World Health Organization. Maximizing positive synergies academic consortium. Interactions between Global Health Initiatives and health systems. http://www.who.int/healthsystems/New-approach-leaflet-ENv2-p4p.pdf?ua=1. Accessed 02 December 2015.
• [2]Policy Cures, G-Finder. Neglected disease research and development: a five-year review. Policy Cures & London International Development Centre. 2012 http://www.policycures.org/downloads/GF2012_Report.pdf. Accessed 02 December 2015.
• [3]Reddy D, Spigelman M. Product development partnerships: an innovative approach to tackling neglected diseases. 2014. http://devpolicy.org/product-development-partnerships-an-innovative-approach-to-tackling-neglected-diseases-20140528/. Accessed 02 December 2015.
• [4]International Health Partnership. http://www.internationalhealthpartnership.net/en/about-ihp/. Accessed 02 December 2015.
• [5]World Health Organization. Opportunities for Global Health Initiatives in the Health Systems Action Agenda. Management for health services delivery. Making health systems work series. 2006. http://www.who.int/management/mhswork/en/. Accessed 02 December 2015.
• [6]Making a Difference: TDR Strategic Plan 2012–2017. WHO, Geneva; 2011. http://www. who.int/tdr/publications/strategic_plan/en/. Accessed 02 December 2015.
• [7]Reeder JC, Guth JA. What have we learned from 40 years of supporting research and capacity building. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2015; 9(1):e3355.
• [8]Certain E, Terry R, Zicker F. Shaping the research agenda. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2015; 9(1):e3350.
• [9]United Nations System. Task team on the post-2015 UN Development Agenda. 2012. http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/pdf/Think%20Pieces/8_health.pdf. Accessed 02 December 2015.
• [10]Remme JH, Adam T, Becerra-Posada F, D’Arcangues C, Devlin M, Gardner C et al.. Defining research to improve health systems. PLoS Med. 2010; 7(11):e1001000.
• [11]Terry RF, Salm JF, Nannei C, Dye C. Creating a global observatory for health R&D. Science. 2014; 345(6202):1302-4.
• [12]Minja H, Nsanzabana C, Maure C, Hoffmann A, Rumisha S, Ogundahunsi O et al.. Impact of health research capacity strengthening in low- and middle-income countries: the case of WHO/TDR programmes. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2011; 5(10):e1351.
• [13]de Savigny D, Adam T. Systems thinking for health systems strengthening. Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, WHO, Geneva; 2009.
• [14]World Health Organization. World Health Report – Research for Universal Health Coverage. 2013. http://www.who.int/whr/2013/report/en/. Accessed 02 December 2015.