Global programme: ITM-DGD International Health Research Policy Support Partnership

A research to policy and practice partnership between ITM and DGD has increasingly taken into account DGD information needs. A pre-identified set of ITM Tropical Medicine and Public Health fields of expertise can be used to better link demand and supply of evidence-influence and strengthen the position of DGD and more broadly of the Belgian governmental actors, especially the ministry of health, and the ministry of foreign affairs and related Belgian embassies. On the supply side of scientific evidence, ITM’s expertise (ITM Strategy 2020-2024) includes four research priorities: i. (re-) emerging diseases and outbreaks; ii. antimicrobial resistance (AMR); iii. Disease elimination of ‘Communicable Diseases (HIV, TB, Malaria) incl. maternal and Sexual Reproductive Health, Neglected Diseases; and iv. Sustainable Health Systems and Strategies, incl. Universal Health Coverage and Global Health Governance. On the demand side, DGD relies on scientific updates and research evidence to support the DGD health strategy of ‘the right to health care”. This strategy set priorities on communicable, neglected diseases; non-communicable diseases and sexual reproductive health, as well as WHO building blocks of a health system: (i) service delivery, (ii) health workforce, (iii) health information systems, (iv) access to essential medicines, (v) financing, and (vi) leadership/governance. DGD is also in need of scientific guidance and support within multilateral health partnerships (WHO, UNAIDS, Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and malaria, UNFPA, COVAX/ACT-A). ITM provides evidence-informed briefings and recommendations to DGD to support the uptake of research (especially from low-income country context perspectives) into policies and practices, as well as support DGD and related ministries to be visible and active at international fora to improve health outcomes of populations in LMICs and strengthen equity within international policies and programs. Better informed Belgian policies and strategies through research evidence with optimal engagement and leadership of health researchers from low and middle income countries - LMIC’s.