As part of the preparations for the second global forum on health research scheduled to take place in Bamako, Mali, in November 2008, a three-day African ministerial conference on health research will take place in Algiers from 23 to 26 June 2008.  

The  theme for the Algiers conference is “Narrowing the knowledge gap to improve Africa’s health” and it will affirm the commitment of countries to support health research in Africa.

The Algiers conference aims to bring together the ministers of health in the WHO Africa region, representatives of research institutes, NGOs, donor agencies and the private sector in order to renew commitments and agree on the “Algiers Declaration” which will be submitted to the second global ministerial forum on health research scheduled to take place from 17 to 19 November 2008 in Bamako, Mali.

According to  Dr Luis G. Sambo,WHO regional director for Africa, research plays a crucial role in improving global health and health equity by developing and evaluating interventions. Mr Sambo, added that it is fundamental to improve health outcomes and contribute to improved health, including the attainment of the health-related millennium development goals.

“Member States, with the support of development partners and other stakeholders, need to allocate more resources to strengthen their national health research systems; develop capacity to conduct health research; identify health research priorities; evaluate research results; and create mechanisms to translate the outcome of research into action to improve health”

For his part, Mr Abdelaziz Belkhadem, head of government of the republic of Algeria said it is particularly important for countries to develop strategies that focus on the health problems of the people of the sub-region.

Mr Belkhadem added that: “in view of the speedy development of medical knowledge and the endless possibilities offered by technological advancement, it is imperative for health professionals, especially those involved in research, to be alert to real health needs in order to innovate and find solutions to health problems”.

The Algiers conference will focus on thefollowing:

• renewing the commitment of countries to strengthen the generation of knowledge and narrow the knowledge gap to improve Africa’s health development and equity;

• highlighting innovative approaches and success stories in developing capacity for research, information and knowledge management in the African region and Strengthening the use of evidence in policy development and decision-making.

The three-day conference, to be organized in plenary and parallel sessions, will discuss a range of topics, including governance and stewardship of national health research systems; ethical policies and practices regarding health research; financial flow and funding of national health systems; donor and institutional perspectives of financial flow; and human and physical resources.

Other topics slated for discussion will be  management, dissemination and use of country health information data; training and movement of health research staff; institutional facilities and field sites; production and use of research to improve health, and research output and knowledge systems. The Algiers Declaration will be discussed and adopted on 26 June.

More than 500 delegates including  African ministers of health, education, science and technology; representatives of research institutes and universities around the world ; NGOs and African international foundations, multilateral and bilateral aid organization, are expected to take part in the conference.