A new initiative aims to strengthen the health research capacity of Kenya and Malawi.

The Health Research Capacity Strengthening initiative, launched at a meeting in Nairobi in July 2006, is a partnership between the Wellcome Trust, the UK Department for International Development (each of which is contributing £10 million) and the International Development Research Centre, Canada (IDRC).

The aim of the initiative is to work with local ministries of health and key institutions and representatives to strengthen the health research infrastructures of Kenya and Malawi, and to encourage the take-up of research findings to improve healthcare. These two countries are already homes to well-established Major Overseas Programmes, funded by the Wellcome Trust (see Feature: International research for global health), which can link with this initiative.

Two task forces, one in Kenya and one in Malawi, have been set up to develop work plans detailing how the initiative could contribute to strengthening health research. Proposals and a monitoring and evaluation framework for nationally led programmes of work over the next five years will be reviewed in early 2007.

See also

• Major Overseas Programmes