Role of Operational Research in Accelerating Progress towards Attainment of Poliomyelitis Targets in the African Region

The Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) has made significant progress towards attaining the poliomyelitis targets in the African Region and research; among other activities; has played a critical role. An overview of the contribution of a select few operational research (OR) activities undertaken is given in this article. These mainly concern social research targeted at understanding and changing behaviour to enhance effective intervention uptake. Lessons learned from this research for the planning and implementation of interventions are also discussed

Enhancing the Role of Traditional Medicine in Health Systems: A Strategy for the African Region

In line with Resolution AFR/RC50/ R3 (Promoting the role of traditional medicine in health systems: A strategy for the African Region; 2000); Member States took steps between 2001 and 2012 to promote traditional medicine by developing national policies and regulatory frameworks and by implementing some priority interventions. By 2012; a total of 40 countries had national policies; 19 had strategic plans and there were 28 national research institutes that conducted research on traditional medicine products used for malaria; HIV/ AIDS; sickle-cell disease; diabetes and hypertension. In addition; seven countries included traditional medicine products into their national essential medicines lists (NEML) and nine adopted national frameworks for the protection of intellectual property rights and traditional medicine knowledge related to practices and products. Despite the progress made; countries continue to face challenges in implementing Resolution AFR/RC50/R3. This article introduces an updated strategy ( Regional Strategy on Promoting the Role of Traditional Medicine in Health Systems reproduced at the end of this article) that proposes key interventions to address these challenges and builds on the successful promotion of the positive aspects of traditional medicine in national health systems. The focus is on strengthening of stewardship and governance; the development and use of tools; the cultivation of medicinal plants and conservation of biological diversity; research and development; local production; the protection of intellectual property rights and traditional medicine knowledge; intersectoral coordination and capacity building

The Critical Role of Health Financing in Progressing Universal Health Coverage

It is clear that health financing is central to providing the different components of health systems vital to making progress in the implementation of universal health coverage (UHC). However; there are several constraints on health financing systems throughout the African Region which are impeding this progress. These include: insufficient financial resources; heavy reliance on out-of-pocket health expenditure; inefficiency in management of health systems; levels of governance and accountability; harnessing stakeholder contributions in health financing; and weak research; including monitoring and evaluation. Progress is being made on the last issue with the rolling out of the revised System of Health Accounts 2011. The article concludes with a list of the Region's key requirements which would facilitate strengthening health financing and thus improve UHC