Washington, D.C. HQ.
February 7, 2008.

Dr. Tikki Pang,
members of his team,
colleagues from PAHO/WHO country offices, research centers
and HQ staff.

It is an honor to welcome you all to PAHO's home, the regional office of WHO and health agency of the inter-American integration system.

I would like to thank you all for participating in this workshop. The World Health Organization's effort to develop a health research policy is now well underway.

The Ministerial Summit on Health Research in Mexico sent out a clear call for improving health research.

The definition of a health research strategy will provide a critical tool for managing and organizing research activities within WHO and its regional offices. It should also guide and support member states in organizing health research.

The governments of the Americas have made research a regional priority as stated in the health agenda for the Americas. PAHO is responding to this call for action by drafting its own health research policy.

Harmonizing WHO's vision with national, regional and organizational stakeholders' needs is a crucial step in the development of a successful strategy. The broad consultation process undertaken by WHO under Dr. Pang's leadership will allow PAHO to actively contribute to the process and ensure that the policy will contemplate the necessary elements to advance health research in the Americas.

Health research should not be a luxury for wealthy countries. It should be a tool to help reduce health inequities and improve public health in low and middle-income countries as well.

There are many challenges to build and improve health research systems throughout the Region. PAHO /WHO should play a leadership role both through advocacy and technical cooperation. It should ensure that the Americas is an active participant of the global research community while answering to national priorities and complying with the highest bioethical standards.

We should decide what the important questions are and be realistic as to the answers research can provide. We should try to decide on research priorities that will help narrow the knowledge gap on what works best in public health and help inform policy making. The ultimate goal of health research is to save lives and improve living standards.

In many cases the answers will come from the traditional areas of health research. More often, we will need to promote links with other sectors such as the social, environmental and economic sciences.

At the same time, we should keep in mind that research might be in itself a tool for development by helping countries build capacities.

I thank you all for participating in this activity. Through our strong and ongoing dialogue, we can enrich this process to help develop a comprehensive health research policy that will reflect our regional needs and serve member states.

More information:
PAHO Press Release: PAHO Director, Dr. Mirta Roses: "In the Americas there is an increased awareness of the importance of research"

PAHO consultation meeting on WHO Research Strategy - Agenda

PAHO/AMRO Consultation Meeting on WHO Research Strategy - FINAL DOCUMENT

We will need to legitimise the place of research in our work. Staff should be encourage to engage with research and their contribution should be recognised and even rewarded: "The fact that we have been talking about research today is a good starting point. We now need to create more space and opportunities for this type of meetings and conversations".

WHO Research Strategy - WHO Website

WHO’s research emphasis

WHO has a long tradition of being engaged in research strongly related to health issues of the poor and disadvantaged. Through its flagship research programmes (TDR, HRP, IVR), its dedicated research centres (IARC, WHO Kobe Centre), its collaborations with key partners (AHPSR, GFHR, COHRED), and its many and varied networks, the Organization has played an important role in identifying neglected areas and, where possible, in filling some of the gaps left by academia, the private sector, and other actors in health research.

The Organization has an equally long tradition in helping to build research capacity in low- and middle-income countries. By providing technical support and assistance and through the designation of collaborating centres, WHO has facilitated and improved health research governance and capabilities, introduced the concept of a national health research system, and promoted solidarity between and within regions and subregions. These activities have been instrumental in creating networks of research centres and scientists who can engage in global research, as well as serve the needs of their countries.

For more information, please contact Diaz, Eng. Katia (WDC), Director's Office Web Master.