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Mr Samkange

Sifelani Tsiko Senior Writer
The University of Zimbabwe will this week host the 25th edition of the Annual Medical Research Day to explore ways to strengthen the country’s health delivery system and offer solutions to some of the challenges facing the healthcare sector. Running under the theme: “Promoting Health Systems Research for Health Systems Strengthening,” the annual medical research day will be held in Harare on October 21. Veteran urology surgeon and director of the UZ Institute of Continuing Health Education, Mr Christopher Samkange told the Herald in an interview recently that the research event was expected to set the tone and shape how medical research could inform the country’s healthcare strategies.

“This is an event where we come together and explore ways and strategies to improve our health care systems and health care outcomes. How can we use medical science to improve the well-being of our people? How do we take care of our caregivers? What services are we giving to women who have been raped? How many are being treated? These are some of the issues that will be discussed at the event,” he said. Mr Samkange said the research day was a significant event for Zimbabwe’s healthcare professions and the general public as it sought to promote medical education and research that prepare globally-minded and community — focused health experts who are responsive to the needs of the people.

“Our concern this year is to discuss the country’s healthcare delivery system,” he said. “The country’s healthcare delivery system is not breaking down but people need to perform better. They need motivation and more support to make it work more efficiently. In spite of the difficult economic circumstances the country’s health delivery system has continued to perform. We want to use medical research innovations to make it work even better.”

About 54 papers will be presented at the event. Up to 300 people are expected to participate at the annual medical research day. Dr David Okello, World Health Organisation country representative, is expected to give the keynote address. The event will also feature research posters from students, faculty and collaborative researchers in the country spanning the fields of biomedical, educational and clinical research among a whole range of topics in the field of medicine. Researchers with the best papers will walk away with prizes.

“The main thrust of this event is that we cannot improve as a country unless we analyse the performance of various cogs in the health sector. Our presenters have done thorough studies of the different aspects of the country’s healthcare delivery system. They will give possible solutions that could be implemented and improve outcomes and the quality of life of citizens,” said Mr Samkange.

Zimbabwe has since independence put considerable financial investment into education and health, particularly the training of health workers and research scientists. However, over the last few years, investment on research productivity and overall improvement of health standards has declined owing to budgetary constraints. Researchers say most of the significant contributions from Zimbabwe came from collaborative work with scientists with Western countries and few others. Observed one researcher: “While this in itself is not a bad trend, it is a worrying situation from the perspective of African scientists working in their own countries who are able to attract independent funding for research.

“When stripped of collaborations, Africa’s scientific ‘drought’ is evident. Clearly, something is wrong and needs to be addressed.” Analysts say some of the major problems of medical research in Zimbabwe and most other African countries include: Lack of infrastructure (laboratories, equipment); Institutional — (structures for career advancement in research); Lack of financial support for research and personal remuneration; Educational (proper curricula for health professionals).