National Health Research Goals and Aims

The National Health Research Operations

The National Health Research Council (NHRC) functions have been resumed in 1998 after a lapse of several years. The National Health Research Committee of the NHRC comprises of the following committees:

• The Health Research and Finance committee; and
• The Health Research Ethics committee

Goals

• Develop and implement a national health research policy
• Foster training and retention of those engaged in health research in Fiji
• Initiate and support health research
• Promote and disseminate the results of health research
• Enhance the quality of health research in Fiji
• Ensure that opportunities for commercial development arising from health research are recognized.
• Collaborate with complementary research organisations in the country and the region towards enhancing health research.

What health research aims to achieve

The national aim is to build health knowledge, which will be used in dealing with health problems and crisis in the country and the improvement of general health services, delivery.

Advancement of Knowledge

Research provides new knowledge of how environmental, social, cultural, behavioural and physical factors contribute to health and disease. This enables us to learn about the effectiveness, efficiency and social acceptability of health services.

Application of Knowledge

Research usually yields new knowledge and understanding of problematic situations. These together allow the development of new techniques and strategies for the prevention, detection and treatment of disease.

Improvement of Health Services

New research information will enable the Ministry of Health to improve the provision, organization and delivery of health care services to meet the health needs of the people of Fiji and the South Pacific. The Health Information Unit of the Ministry of Health in its corporate plan includes the various key areas to accommodate associated features of research development with specific requirements under: Planning information for decision making and policy directions; Epidemiological information; and Medical records and health information policy and management. Finally the research data are being incorporated into the Ministry’s Annual Reports from 1996.

Developing the future Health Research Workforce

A strong and well - coordinated team of workers with interest and professionalism is necessary to sustain and carry the developments into the next Century. All activities are to be geared towards getting our people involved in ownership and control of Research in Fiji. 

Planning and Managing Health Research includes: Identification and prioritization of research needs; Development of research capacity; Planning and management of health research; Propagate results of health research and Development of specific prevention measures.

Thus the budget is hence  geared towards three activities:

• Activity 1  - Mini Grants Programme
• Activity 2  - Research Capacity Building
• Activity 3  - Purchase of Research AIDS

The National Research Committee has adopted the following Terms of Reference:

1. Determine priorities for health research activities in line with the Ministry of Health’s corporate goals of promoting health, preventing disease and infirmity, and efficiently and effectively delivering high quality health services.
2. Secure funds from Government and other agencies to support health-related research carried out by qualified and / or experienced researchers.
3. Establish criteria and application forms for awarding research grants, and to solicit research proposals from individuals and teams of investigators that address priority areas established by the Committee.
4. Award research grants in accordance with the priorities established by the Committee, and in line with the rules and regulations that it establishes for such awards.
5. Establish a comprehensive national health research bibliography and create a library or file of national health research that has been carried out.
6. Support national public and private institutions, which are capable of undertaking health-related research.
7. Support capacity building in research skills and resources.
8. Make available and give permission to publish research results.
9. Advise the Department of Immigration on visas in relation to visiting researchers intending to conduct health-related research in Fiji.
10. Be the advisory body on ethical issues related to health research in Fiji.
11. Be the body, which provides clearance for all health-related research in Fiji, and monitor the progress of Committee-funded research projects

The Mini-Grants Programme

The National Health Research Committee of the NHRC, Ministry of Health has in 1998 commenced a Mini-Grants Scheme to support health research projects. The Mini-Grants Programme tenders proposals for research projects in priority areas of interest to the Ministry of Health.

The grants assist local research teams in carrying out well-designed research projects that answer specific research questions within a specified time frame. The results of the research are used by the Ministry of Health and other providers in Fiji to assist with national and regional health planning, and monitoring and evaluation of existing programmes.

All interested academic and private sector research professionals, social welfare organisations, health care workers and health care students in Fiji are encouraged to apply. Grant awards can be used to defray the costs of research including research equipment and supplies, travel within Fiji, telecommunications, postage, duplication, printing and other research-related expenses. Grants are generally in the amount of $5,000 or less, and cannot be used for capital projects, personal computers, international travel, salaries, wages, consultants fees, meal allowances, catering expenses, or other items inessential to research activities. The decisions on awards made by the Research Committee are final.

While the committee will carefully consider all proposals, the following are set priority areas for research from 1998, and will receive highest consideration for funding by the committee:

• Risk factors for Non-Communicable Diseases (e.g. diet, exercise, smoking)
• Non-Communicable Disease Incidence/Prevalence (including cancer)
• Complications of Non-Communicable Diseases (mortality, amputations, etc)
• Health service activities related to NCDs (clinical audits, compliance rates)
• Accidents & Injuries (motor vehicles, drowning, fights, suicides, occupational)
• Disability Rates (blindness, hearing/speech, physical, etc.)
• Care of the Elderly
• Community Mental Health
• Spousal/child abuse, rape, sexual assault
• Environmental Health (pollution, water & sanitation, vector control)
• Private health care services (coverage, case mix)
• Hospital service costs (patient visits, corporate services)
• Client satisfaction studies
• User fees (ability to pay, marketing, means testing)
• Private health insurance (coverage, fees, providers, claims)

Mini-Grants awarded in the last two years

• 1998
• 1999

How to Enter the Mini-Grants Programme/Application Forms

To apply researchers must write or enquire with the National Health Research Committee/ from its members or per phone- 306177 or fax- 306163. Otherwise all written proposals for undertaking research should be sent to the:

The research proposals could be either posted or hand-delivered to the Ministry Headquarters at Dinem House-88 Amy Street, Toorak, Suva.

The completed research proposals must include: (For details see appropriate form below)

1. A completed Application Cover Sheet
2. Main objectives of the research study
3. Background & justification (600 word summary)
4. Materials and methods to be used, including data analysis
5. Key output measures from the study
6. Time frame for completing the study
7. Detailed budget and sources of funding
8. A curriculum vitae or resume for each investigator including publications, academic qualifications, past research experience, and institutional background.