Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine
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Objective: To describe governance and stewardship of research in health research institutions in the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region. Design: A structured questionnaire was used to solicit information on governance and stewardship from health research institutions. Setting: Forty-two Member States of the WHO African Region. ⋯ However, most respondent institutions did not have written policies or guidelines, either for the scientific review of proposals (70%) or regarding conflict of interest on scientific review committees (80%). Conclusions: Some health research institutions demonstrate good practice in terms of the establishment of structures and processes for governance and stewardship, many others do not. There is a need for the strengthening of the stewardship capacity of research institutions in the Region.
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To assess the state of national health research systems of countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region. ⋯ National health research systems were weak in the countries assessed. Significantly more resources should be allocated to strengthening these systems.