Research and innovation as drivers of health, equity and development
September 19, 2012 | 11:00 h - 12:30 h
About the speaker
Prof Carel IJsselmuiden MD
Director Council on Health Research for Development (COHRED)
Ijsselmuiden is a public health physician and epidemiologist. He has worked in rural medicine, peri-urban and urban health care and environmental health services, as well as in academic public health education and research ethics training. He has also published in various areas in applied research and public health. Carel was the founding Director of the University of Pretoria’s School of Health Systems and Public Health until his appointment as COHRED Director in January 2004.
Abstract of the lecture
The presentation will start from, and provide evidence for, the following premises:
• Research is key to achieving, maintaining and optimizing health.
• Equity is an essential pre-condition for maximizing societal and individual health.
• The process of translating research into practical, scalable solutions that improve health and equity requires multi-sectoral engagement that has direct and positive impact on social and economic development – both in high and in low income countries – in a process labeled as ‘innovation’.
• From a ‘development’ point of view, therefore, investment in low income country systems and capacity for research and innovation can achieve results in all three areas – in a manner that is sustainable and can stimulate own development further. All three aspects – health, equity and development – are key impacts that international collaboration in research and innovation should aim for.
The relevance of this observation relates to finding new ways to express global solidarity in view of rapidly changing global socio-economic and political realities. Capacity for research and innovation is rapidly increasing, as is the ability to work in ‘south-south’ partnerships. Research competitiveness support is probably a more correct approach than research capacity development, and health and science diplomacy a better orientation than development aid. In the conclusion, proposals will be made for discussion on how to translate this into practical steps that can guide institutions and international collaboration.
