dyton mupawaenda
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke-Senior Health Reporter
Research and innovation are key to addressing public health challenges being faced by Zimbabwe, as well as the attainment of Vision 2030 goals, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora said this week.
Speaking during the opening of the four-day Researchers and Innovators Conference on Tuesday, the Minister said through fostering collaboration, research and innovation, the Government was laying the foundation for evidence-based decision-making and transformative policies that would drive the nation towards achieving Vision 2030.
“The objectives of this symposium align closely with our nation’s NDS1 and the NHS,” he said.
“These frameworks highlight the significance of evidence-based practices in healthcare and emphasise the role of research in addressing public health challenges.
“Through rigorous scientific inquiry, research enables us to gain insights into the complexities of diseases, identify effective interventions, and develop strategies to tackle public health issues.
“By conducting research that directly addresses the key health priorities outlined in these plans, we can generate knowledge that directly informs policy formulation, programme implementation, and resource allocation.
“Moreover, research in health enables us to identify and address health disparities, understand the social determinants of health, and design interventions that are contextually appropriate and inclusive. It empowers us to develop innovative solutions to complex health challenges, promote health equity, and improve the overall well-being of our population.”
The four-day conference, which ends tomorrow, serves as a platform for early career researchers to showcase their ground breaking work, exchange ideas, and form vital collaborations.
CeSHHAR executive director Professor Stanley Luchters said the conference sought to foster partnerships between local researchers and institutions of higher learning as well as create international partnerships.
“The continent has a disproportionate burden in terms of research compared to many other countries so focusing on health is critically important,” he said.
“Advances have been seen, but much more is needed. Having both the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife is important to us, more so because we are seeing the increasing impact of climate change on the health of populations, particularly vulnerable populations like pregnant women, post-partum women and the newborns.”
Zimbabwe has adopted the Education 5.0 model which seeks to catalyse economic development through innovation and industrialisation.
Midlands State University Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof Mcebisi Maphosa said the model had allowed the country to make inroads into collaborations that made the achievement of the set goals possible.
“There is a need to transcend abstract academic knowledge and translate research into innovations, intellectual property, incubation and enterprise development,” he said.
“And this is the reasoning behind the innovation hubs that have been established in almost every public university.
“For the past 50 or so years, there has been a global shift towards knowledge-based economies, where there is intensive use of knowledge and innovation and this is the direction that Zimbabwe is taking. There is need for collaboration, which is key for global exchange of knowledge, skills and sharing of research infrastructure.”
Online Reporter