Strengthening Administration of Research for Perinatal and Child Health in Zambia

University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka

Investigators

Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Zambia, with a population of 10.4 million inhabitants, has what is considered to be the world's 13th highest neonatal and childhood death rate. University Teaching Hospital (UTH), located in the Zambian capital of Lusaka, houses the nation's only school that trains physicians. Within UTH, researchers who are part of the Maternal Newborn and Child Health Partnership (MNCHP) work to reduce the neonatal and childhood mortality rate by translating research outcomes into governmental policy. This application seeks to strengthen MNCHP research capabilities by funding an International Extramural Associate (IEA), Dr. Elwyn Chomba, for a period of 5 years. During this period, Dr. Chomba would work actively with UTH faculty, the Ministry of Health, and other ancillaries to increase funding for neonatal research in Zambia. Dr. Chomba and the MNCHP staff would train the next generation of biomedical researchers by conducting workshops and seminars on the fundamentals of grant submission and management. In addition, IEA training would increase the ability of the MNCHP research office to pursue additional funding opportunities and provide better administrative management of existing projects. By the end of the project period, the MNCHP office hopes to have contributed significantly to the reduction of the neonatal mortality rate in Zambia through the addition of new pediatric researchers and innovative projects.