Microsoft Word 02Preface doc

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Strengthening the Relationship with the MOH 
The NMIMR is an affiliated research institute of the University of Ghana, and belongs 
to the Ministry of Education (MOE).  Therefore, it was pointed out that it was 
difficult for the research outputs of NMIMR to be reflected in the infectious diseases 
control programs of the MOH. However, the NMIMR has held annual research 
meetings that seek to bridge the “Research – Policy Divide” since 2001. These 
meetings bring together policy makers from the MOH, Directors and Programme 
Managers of the GHS, academics and other health partners to discuss research findings 
and identify the research needs of public health programs, with the aim of integrating 
relevant research findings into policy and implementation programs. 
Due to these meetings, communication between the NMIMR and the MOH has 
improved, and it became easier to the reflect research outputs of the NMIMR in the 
infectious diseases control programs of the MOH. 
It was also pointed out that JICA’s cooperation focused on research activities and only 
in a few cases included activities to enable the research outputs to be reflected in the 
health services.    Such cases were mostly in initial stages of the cooperation period. It 
seems that the projects at the initial stage of JICA’s cooperation aimed at the capacity 
development of the NMIMR, and could not afford to develop a collaborative structure 
with related organizations.   
The MOH explained to the evaluation team that the NMIMR is recognized as a centre 
of excellence by the MOH.    The MOH also appoints staff of the NMIMR as members 
of its health programs and committees and receives technical advice from them (see 
Table 4.18).   
 

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