Appraisal of the research grant schemes of the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean: the way forward.

One way that the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO) promotes the important area of health research is by providing research grants within the Region. A desk review of 2 of the EMRO-supported research grant schemes was done to assess: the selection process ofthe research proposals, the priority areas, country data and information on the principal investigator. The 2 schemes were: EMRO grant for Research in Priority Areas of Public Health, started in 2002, and the EMRO and Organization of Islamic Conference Standing Committee for Science and Technological Cooperation Grant for Research in Applied Biotechnology & Genomics in Health, started in 2004. The paper proposes the following recommendations to enhance benefit from the grant process: create a critical mass of researchers through joint collaboration in proposals and mentoring; instigate a more rigorous process to disseminate the call for proposals more widely and effectively; and include relevant stakeholders in the identification of priority areas for research and overall monitoring of the process.

Road traffic injuries and data systems in Egypt: addressing the challenges.

OBJECTIVE: Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are a major cause of global mortality and morbidity, killing approximately 1.3 million people and injuring 20 to 50 million each year. The significance of this public health threat is most pronounced in low- and middle-income countries where 90 percent of the world's road traffic-related fatalities take place. Current estimates for Egypt show a road traffic fatality rate of 42 deaths per 100,000 population-one of the highest in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. RTIs are also responsible for 1.8 percent of all deaths and 2.4 percent of all disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost in the country. Despite this, studies surrounding this topic are scarce, and reliable data are limited. The overall goal of this article is to define the health impact of RTIs in Egypt and to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each data source for the purpose of improving the current RTI data systems. METHODS: A 2-pronged approach was undertaken to assess the burden of RTIs in Egypt. First, a thorough literature review was performed using PubMed, Embase, ISIS Web of Knowledge, and Scopus databases. Articles pertaining to Egypt and road traffic injuries were selected for screening. With assistance from Egyptian colleagues, a comprehensive exploration of data sources pertaining to RTIs in Egypt was undertaken and secondary data from these sources were procured for analysis. RESULTS: The literature review yielded a total of 20 studies, of which 6 were multi-country and 5 were hospital-based studies. None examined risk factors such as speeding, alcohol, or seat belt use. Secondary data sources were acquired from national hospital-based injury surveillance; a community-based health survey; pre-hospital injury surveillance; the Ministry of Transport; the General Authority for Roads, Bridges and Land Transport; death certificates; and the central agency for public motorization and statistics. Risk factor data are also limited from these sources. CONCLUSION: The results of this article clearly highlight the significant burden that road traffic injuries pose on the health of the Egyptian population. The hospital-based injury surveillance system that has been established in the country and the use of International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) coding brings the system very closely in line with international guidelines. There is, however, some considerable room for improvement, including the need to extend the coverage of the surveillance system, the inclusion of injury severity scores and disability indicators, and standardization of the sometimes rather disparate sources from various sectors in order to maximally capture the true burden of RTIs.

Appraisal of the research grant schemes of the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean: the way forward

One way that the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean [EMRO] promotes the important area of health research is by providing research grants within the Region. A desk review of 2 of the EMRO-supported research grant schemes was done to assess: the selection process of the research proposals, the priority areas, country data and information on the principal investigator. The 2 schemes were: EMRO grant for Research in Priority Areas of Public Health, started in 2002, and the EMRO and Organization of Islamic Conference Standing Committee for Science and Technological Cooperation Grant for Research in Applied Biotechnology and Genomics in Health, started in 2004. The paper proposes the following recommendations to enhance benefit from the grant process: create a critical mass of researchers through joint collaboration in proposals and mentoring; instigate a more rigorous process to disseminate the call for proposals more widely and effectively; and include relevant stakeholders in the identification of priority areas for research and overall monitoring of the process

Achievements and challenges of formulating a strategic plan for nursing development at the national level in Bahrain.

BACKGROUND: In this paper (initially presented at a symposium during the ICN Centennial Conference, 27 June-1 July 1999, London), we describe nurses' experiences in formulating a strategic plan for nursing development at the national level in Bahrain. AIM: Specifically, we address the process undertaken to produce a comprehensive and integrated strategic plan directed at what nurses in Bahrain need to do in order to contribute to cost-effective and high-quality health service. CONCLUSIONS: The following strategies are addressed: regulation of nursing; reform of nursing education; development of nursing services; development of a nursing information system, and development of nursing leadership.

Global nursing leadership: a professional imperative.

Globalization is an inevitable trend in the modern world, as our communities become both closer and more diverse. Globalization is examined in this report as a key factor in recognizing the intersection of health and development. Nurse leaders face the crucial need to understand and take initiatives in responding to this radically changing world. The transformation of nursing requires active participation and leadership in practice, education, research, and policy arenas. To participate in shaping the public understanding of health and development, nurse leaders must be included in the multinational and multidisciplinary decision processes that shape health care at home and abroad.

Nurses and doctors ... and patients.

A Forum discussion group hosted by Dr Eilif Liisberg was formed from a few of the participants at a WHO nursing conference in Geneva. Subjects discussed were the status of nursing and changing attitudes to patients.