What could we do at this stage to further involve policy makers?

1. What could we do at this stage to further involve policy makers?

2. WHA A58/34 Resolution 2(5) URGES Member States "To establish or strengthen mechanisms to transfer knowledge in support of evidence- based public health and health-care delivery systems, and evidence-based health-related policies"

3. WHA A58/34 Resolution 4(4) REQUESTS the Director-General "To assist in the development of more effective mechanisms to bridge the divide between ways in which knowledge is generated and ways in which it is used, including the transformation of health research findings into policy and practice"

4. EVIPNet (Evidence-informed Policy Networks) • Invitations to WPRO countries thru MOH to respond to first, planning phase by submitting letters of intent to develop in-country mechanisms to strengthen research to policy linkages • Workshop for potential applicants in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (June 13-15, 2005) • 7 teams participated (Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam and China-Shandong, Sichuan, Beijing) • Evaluation of proposals ongoing, awards by end 2005 • Extension of networks idea to Africa in 2006 (SIDA)

5. Planning phase components (1) • Define appropriate catchment area • Identifying and building the right team • Identifying and initiating relevant partnerships and linkages • Obtaining commitment from relevant stakeholders

6. Planning phase components (2) • Setting priorities on content topics to be tackled • Identifying location of network • Planning and defining realistic milestones • Identifying local financial and in-kind support

7. EViPNET Workshop, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, June 13-15, 2005

8. What they told us about what works…. • Simplify and package research results • Research embedded in implementation • Integration of new interventions into existing platforms • Researchers involved in scale-up • "Hot" topic for government • Long time frames

9. …….and what doesn't • Lack of timely data for policy makers • Limited access to information • Lack of appropriate research agenda (including post-policy research) and weak HSR capacity • Lack of research quality assurance • Poor understanding of the value of research • Distortion of evidence

10. Opportunities and benefits for collaboration with SEA-ORCHID • Establish links between country teams and SEA-ORCHID focal points in countries (research-policy) leading to better in-country networking and dialogue • Workshops on building and strengthening capacity for synthesis of research and packaging evidence for policy makers • Facilitating inter-sectoral linkages to ensure sustained change, e.g. with ministries of education to ensure inclusion in medical curricula (inter-ministerial) • Jointly developing relevant research agenda (including post-policy research)

11. Working together to promote implementation of effective interventions and identifying gaps in knowledge

12. "There is a pathway from good science to publication to evidence, and to programs that work. In this way research becomes an inherent part of problem-solving and policy implementation" Julio Frenk, Mexican Minister of Health "There is unity between research and health care-there is no fundamental difference and the two are separated only by time" Harvey Fineberg, President, IOM