Mathildah Chithila Munthali, PhD

CEO, National Council for Higher Education, Malawi

Program Manager, Health Research Capacity Strengthening Initiative, National Commission for Science & Technology, Malawi (2010-13)

Building capacity for GHR in resource constrained settings: context experiences

Outline

Background Overview of key challenges Lessons Learnt & Key areas for reflection Successes stories Remaining challenges Opportunities

MALAWI IN CONTEXT

Population: 17.2 million Area: 118,480Km 2

Life expectancy: 58/61 Infant mortality: 66/1000

MMR 675/100,000

Why research is needed

Develop context specific evidence

Support decision making

Support efficient use of limited resources

Conduit for economic development

PresenterPresentation NotesReminding ourselves on things we already know

Low Critical mass- competing priorities

Limited research output from Universities

Lack of Conducive research environment/retension

Lack of absorption platform for research findings

Lack of funds allocated to research/retention

Overview of key Challenges

PresenterPresentation Notes1.Critical mass: Gaps in expertise; conflict of interest 2. Environment: Lack of Confidence of HE outputs; funding mechanism; management & governance systems not adequate

Lessons Learnt & Key Areas for reflection

Approach

RESEARCH RESEARCH CAPACITY

Disseminate

Use findings

PresenterPresentation NotesCapacity building in health research needs a dual approach

Varied Capacity Strengthening Needs

Research Leaders

Institutions

Individual Graduate Fellowships Small grants Interns Postdoctoral

Infrastructure Grants management Ethics

Governance

Dissemination

Research Agenda

Research Multidisciplinary Senior Junior

PresenterPresentation NotesNeeds might be multilayered

Career progression & Leadership

PI & Mentors

Senior Researchers

Post-doc/Junior Researchers

Internship/Postgraduate studies

Graduate

PresenterPresentation NotesVision made clear

10

Collaborative and Cohesive Approach Needed “Effective use of available facilities”

MLW

MERU

UNC

CoM

JH

What have we got now ?

NGOs

11

Effective and strategic capacity building for GHR can help Malawi optimize current health research

Gap identification

Value-for-money

The problem

Environment

How capacity building helps

Lack of adequate personnel and facilities for research -issues of access to HE

Level of expertise in critical areas is developed- collaborative work made possible- preparedness for emerging PH issues

Parallel initiatives are sometimes duplicative and working in silos

Centers of excellence- collaborative and shared resources-research studies create learning opportunities

Lack of conducive environment- graduates ill prepared and lack confidence- research translation and absorption platform lacking

11

Critical mass capable to win grants, do research and engage policy makers and diaspora involvement made possible

Role of Universities University education should be the anchor of a broad-

based development strategy

In addition to teaching – produce competent graduates and assess the needs and aspirations of the society

Universities acting as effective agents of change – community engagement more responsive to the emerging needs

Universities to increase research focus and provide research leadership

Role of Universities (cont.)

promote impact-oriented research, based on a platform of

effective teaching and learning systems.

Retention enhanced with access to centers of excellency and funding mechanisms

create opportunities for postdoctoral researchers and research career posts

Promote joint degree programs to improve access to facilities

SUCCESS STORIES

Victor Ndhlovu

Background: BSc. Biology- UNIMA; MSc in Medical Molecular Biology - Bangor University in the UK . Thesis: Characterisation of anti-RNP autoantibodies. Looking at cancer cells and how they are linked to development of certain autoimmune diseases.

Publications: submitted a manuscript to Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy; Poster presentation at the UNIMA conference

Post: CoM as a Lecturer in the Biomedical Sciences Dept. Affiliation: Belongs to the TB research group at CoM and MLW

Collaborations: Dr. Niel Hall University of Liverpool and Mike Barer at University of Leicester.

Area of current research: TB.

Looking at persistent (not resistant) TB cells which have been found to be responsible for disease relapses since they go reversibly dormant during treatment and are therefore tolerant to antibiotics.

interested in molecular mechanisms that underlie this reversible shutdown.

“I believe my research career is really taking off.”

Fanuel Lampiao - PhD. Lecturer, Associate Professor of Physiology

Background: BSc in Biological Sciences UNIMA; Hons, MSc and PhD in medical physiology Stellenbosch university; Junior grant : Antifertility effects of Malawian medicinal herbs.

AU Young Scientist Award 2012 Able to secure more grants from other organizations.

Currently hold a Scottish Government grant worth 275 000 British Pounds.

Current research: in the field of herbal medicine used for reproductive purposes.

Leadership: supervising both undergraduate and postgraduate research projects. Currently have 3 PhD students working in his laboratory; Hosting Interns Deputy Head of Department, Deputy Dean of Faculty, Dean of Students.

Collaboration: Carol Clemets, and Ai Gray, Strathclyde University, UK; Dr SS du Plessis, Division of Medical Physiology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa; Dr Guillaume Aboua, Department of Biomedical Technology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa.; Dr D Kamadyaapa, Walter Sisulu University, South Africa; Forest Research Institute of Malawi, and the National Botanical Gardens. “Capacity building grant allowed me to grow into an independent researcher. It gave me confidence to try other sources of funding.”

Grant allowed publications of 2 papers:

1. F Lampiao, M Slabbert, SS Du Plessis (2011) The in vitro antifertility effects of Acacia nilotica on human spermatozoa function. Spatula DD - Peer Reviewed Journal on Complementary Medicine and Drug Discovery 1(2): 59-66.

2. Lampiao F. The anti fertility effects of Acacia nilotica in male Wistar rats (2013) Journal of Reproduction and Infertility 14(1):39-42.

Lampiao F, Du Plessis SS (2013) New developments of the effect of melatonin on reproduction. World Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 10; 2(2): 15-22.

Lampiao F, Mahala M, Zumazuma A (2013) Erectile dysfunction as an early marker of elevated blood glucose levels and blood pressure in Malawian men in a rural setting. Reproductive System and Sexual Disorders, 2: 2-3.

Lampiao F, Kutengule A (2013) Characteristics of semen parameters of Malawian men from couples seeking assisted reproduction. World Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 10; 2(4): 1-4. Lampiao F, Matambo E, Banda A (2013) The effects of acute administration of Chinese aphrodisiacs sold in Blantyre City on sperm characteristics and fertility profile in guinea pigs. Malawi Medical Journal, 25 (3): 60-61.

Lampiao F (2014) Coitus Interruptus: Are there spermatozoa in the pre-ejaculate? International Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Research, 3: 1-4.

Remaining challenges

Research still carried out in Silos Mapping of research activities and context usage

Limited community engagement to capture and address contextual issues

Limited skills in program implementation Training opportunities beyond PhD limited Most Training institutions not well equipped

Abuja(March, 2006), Accra(June,2006); Algiers(June 2008); and Bamako(November 2008) Health Ministers’ declarations- unimplemented.

Research studies aligned to national health priorities in line with Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness (2005)

Strengthen local Ethics Committees whose functions

are to support research and not hinder

Remaining challenges (cont.)

PresenterPresentation NotesCommit funding- Allocate 5% of budgets to research

Opportunities

Use of existing pockets of excellency and new centers of excellency- NGOs establishing expertise

Strengthen research management and leadership

Encourage role models to provide mentorship and create opportunities for skills exchange

Government commitment- implementation of policies and international agreements

THANK YOU

Slide Number 1OutlineSlide Number 3Why research is needed �����Overview of key ChallengesSlide Number 6ApproachVaried Capacity Strengthening NeedsCareer progression & LeadershipCollaborative and Cohesive Approach Needed�“Effective use of available facilities”Effective and strategic capacity building for GHR can help Malawi optimize current health researchRole of UniversitiesRole of Universities (cont.)Slide Number 14������Victor Ndhlovu �Slide Number 16Slide Number 17Slide Number 18Slide Number 19��Remaining challenges�Slide Number 21���� Opportunities�THANK YOU