A cross section of the participants from Mozambique, Senegal and Tanzania during the R4HA satellite session at Forum 2012. The session was based on open and lively dialogue and many participants were keen to engage with each other on the merits of using an e-based research management information system.

Country partners involved in the Research for Health Africa Programme (R4HA), used the opportunity today at a Satellite Workshop to demonstrate to fellow Forum 2012 participants the importance of strengthening research and Innovation Systems for Health and Development in Africa.  They also showcased how the R4HA programme has helped them move towards achieving this goal in their own countries.  By giving an insight into experiences within the partner countries, the R4HA programme – run jointly by The COHRED Group and The NEPAD Agency – hopes to encourage more African countries to join.

Representatives from Mozambique, Senegal and Tanzania – the three countries involved in the initial stages of the programme – talked about the merits of strengthening an e-based research management information system and research ethics.

Research for Health Africa is an initiative aimed at strengthening the governance of research and innovation for health in Africa and is supported by a four-year grant from the Government of the Netherlands.  The programme focuses on the creation of practical tools and methods that countries can use to optimise research governance, which include institutional mapping, establishing national priorities and policies and developing web-based research management information systems.