International Collaboration in Health Research
Article: Lucas AO. 2005;83:482
6 October 2005 - We read with interest the editorial written by Lucas (1) published in the esteemed Bulletin. Such an editorial is timely and thought provoking particularly for those who collaborate from developing and developed countries.
We agree that such cross-border collaboration and involvement of multiple sites in medical research is a healthy trend, now possible due to excellent communication facilities. The sites and the Principal Investigator (PI), though thousand miles apart, can interact easily to fulfill their scientific needs. Very large research protocols, widely used tables and data sheets are now easily shared among international investigators.
It has been observed that most developing country governments do not hesitate in getting grants and help from developed countries, in areas of science and technology. They recognize that it can bring economic and social benefits to their countries in a short time. But they hesitate when it relates to collaboration in health care (2).
Encouraging collaboration in health care systems among scientists of developing and developed countries will be beneficial. Viz., quality of research: good clinical practice (GCP) is not known to many researchers in less privileged countries. Even if they undertake an appropriate, strong and excellent hypothesis for research, the study loses its importance due to flaws, and which cannot be undone at a later stage. Publications in reputed journals: this is possible with improvement in writing skill, sound statistical analysis and proper interpretation of data. Newer thoughts can emerge. While scientists from a developing country consider a problem from one angle, their collaborators from a developed country may offer another view. It makes the research more strong. Exposure of young scientists to different set up. Had there been no scope to see the other side of the world, scientists may grow up with myopic vision. International collaborations have in fact motivated some non-teaching institutes to engage themselves in health research. Learning new technology becomes possible. It facilitates to establish better laboratories. State of the art equipment can be obtained, which help not only the present project, but also future research, as well as health care. Getting journals and computer facility etc also enhances. Most of all, the scientific temperament improves. Funding by international agencies viz, NIH, USA; IDRC Canada etc help establishing collaborations between neighboring countries with problems common to them viz., malaria, and diarrhea diseases. TB AIDS etc. It can also bring in an atmosphere of friendship and not war!!
We appreciate the concern of the editor about priority setting and keeping the needs of the developing country. The donor country should always consider and take due account of the prevailing health conditions in developing counties. As participants to international research, we congratulate Prof Lucas once again for this timely editorial and Swingler et al. for their article (3).
Satpathy R (1), Mishra SK (2)
REFERENCES:
- Lucas AO. International collaboration in health research, Bull World Health Organ 2005;83:482.
- Oldham G, SciDev. (2005) www.scidev.net/dossiers/index.cfm
- Swingler GH, Pillay V, Pienaar E D, Loannidis J PA et al.. International collaboration, funding and association with burden of disease in randomized controlled trials in Africa. Bull World Health Organ 2005;83:511-7.
(1) Joint Director I/c (Paediatrics and Neonataology), Ispat General Hospital, Rourkela 769 005, India (email: drsatpathy@rediff.com).
(2) Joint Director I/c (ICU, Emergency and Internal Medicine) Ispat General Hospital, Rourkela 769 005, India (email: ighmalaria@yahoo.com).