Scientist should diversify their mode of research - Prof. Agyapong

The Director of Health Research at the Ghana Health Service, Professor John Agyapong has called on health scientists in the country to diversify their mode of research to address issues of public health relevance.

He noted that the country needs appropriate research to inform the implementation of policies on health care delivery systems, the improvement of access to health service and health financing systems.

This according to Professor Gyapong calls for scientists to move from their usual laboratory and clinical research trend, to areas that will address health issues facing the country. The Director of Health Research, Professor John Agyapong suggested a health research approach where research agenda should include academia, policy makers, service providers and NGO's to achieve the desired results, and to also avoid a situation where research work results sit on the shelves unutilized.

Professor John Agyapong was speaking at the opening of a day's training workshop for senior members of the College of Health sciences on research proposal and writing skills at the KNUST today. He disclosed that the health research service of GHS has funded 79 projects since 2001 with an average funding of 20 thousand Euros which he said is below their expectation. He called on scientists in the country to take advantage of the GHS's recent declaration of utilizing five percent of its recurrent budget which amounts to 20 billion cedis for meaningful research works.

The Provost of the College of Health Science at KNUST Professor Kwame Sarpong cited, funding, inadequate facilities and training as factors hindering research works. He said the workshop will afford scientists and senior members of the college, the training and the expertise in writing good proposals to obtain funding for effective research. The workshop touched on research in clinical medicine, public health research and Basic Science among others.