Prof. S.P Reddy

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Prof. S.P Reddy Health Promotion Research and
Development Unit Presentation to the Portfolio
Committee April 12, 2005 http//www.mrc.ac.za
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Research Capacity Strengthening
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Research Capacity Strengthening

• Strengthening Research Capacity is one of the
  most powerful cost effective and sustainable
  means of advancing health and development
• (Commission on Health Research for 1990)

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Imperatives for Research Capacity Strengthening

• One of the 7 key elements of ENHR
• Critical element of the development agenda for a
  country
• Development of indigenous skills
• Avoid an exodus of a cadre of elite scientists
• Africanisation of Health Research

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Epidemiological Transition

• Change in research paradigm
• Behavioural research, multisectoral nature, no
  single intervention will result in a healthy
  nation
• Health promotion model balanced view of
  infectious and non-infectious diseases

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What do we do?

• Train local researchers
• Learning by doing
• Strong encouragement to engage in post-graduate
  qualifications
• Develop linkages, collaborative ventures and
  partnerships with local and international
  research groups
• Common research questions that fit into
  methodological mix

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Challenges

• Publish or Perish
• Writing and Analysis
• Social Science intersection with Biomedical
  Science

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Researchers in Training
Name Gender Race Title Funding
Sibusiso Sifunda M B Evaluation of Prison Intervention NIH/MRC
Shegs James F B Evaluation of School Interventions Horizons
Saadhna Panday F B Smoking Cessation MRC
Coceka Nogoduka F B Primary Health Care Nurses Interventions CDC
Lekan Ayo-Yusuf M B Evaluation of School Intervention MRC
Dehran Swart M B School Smoking Prevention MRC
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What Do We Need?

• A coordinated National Plan that is well
  supported
• A strong belief in the need to train local people
  
• Good appropriate mentorship
• Commitment, commitment, commitment!!!