Ethiopia, Zanzibar and Malawi
BCEPS will extend its work on Disease Control Priorities in Ethiopia (funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation), with support from the Addis Centre for Ethics and Priority Setting in Ethiopia, to Zanzibar and Malawi. BCEPS will provide capacity strengthening and help define and implement a highest priority package for non-communicable diseases and injuries in Zanzibar, and an essential surgery package in Malawi. “In all activities, the implementation will be monitored on three expected outcomes: better health, reduced inequity, and improved financial risk protection”, says the Centre’s Director, Professor Ole Frithjof Norheim.
Although these are among the world’s poorest countries, they invest in health and have seen substantial health improvements in the last decade. The Centre will help translate best evidence on what works to better health policies that not only save lives but also reduce poverty. Key partners include the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the University of Washington, and the World Health Organisation.
Unique Group – Important Decision Support
– The Bergen group of researchers is unique because it combines advanced research in ethics and economics with local capacity building for better impact on the ground, says Damian Walker, Deputy Director of Data and Analytics at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
– Decision support to the government agencies of developing countries can help countries accelerate their achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, says Austen Davis, Senior Advisor, NORAD.
– An international partnership between funders for supporting research on priority setting is most welcome, both in Norway and globally, says John-Arne Røttingen, Chief Executive of the Research Council of Norway.
Bringing Together Resources and Excellent Research
– In strengthening this important work by establishing BCEPS with a home base at the University of Bergen, we are in alignment with the strategic priorities of the University of Bergen and the Norwegian Government. If we can bring together resources and excellent research to improve health for people in need, we are doing something right, says Sveinung Hole, CEO of the Trond Mohn Foundation.
Links
Ingress photo: Kjell Arne Johansson
Programme period: 2019-2024
Host institution: University of Bergen
Centre Director: Professor Ole Frithjof Norheim
TMS-funding: NOK 35,5 million