The Foundation for Support to Health Research and Innovation (FINS) warned on Monday that funding for scientific research in Mozambique’s health sector is declining, creating uncertainty over the continuity and development of research projects. The institution is calling for resource mobilisation and diversification of financing sources as essential measures to ensure the sustainability of health research and innovation in the country.
According to the Mozambique Information Agency (AIM), the alert was issued by FINS Executive Director Nilza Mbanze during the foundation’s official launch ceremony held in Maputo, where she outlined the key challenges constraining the development of scientific research and its contribution to improving health services.
Mbanze said the reduction in available financial resources is one of the main constraints facing the sector, alongside limited coordination between health institutions and other societal actors, as well as low levels of scientific literacy among the general population.
Against this backdrop, the foundation intends to mobilise funding, promote strategic partnerships, and establish support mechanisms for researchers, with the aim of ensuring that findings from scientific studies are translated into concrete solutions to public health challenges. “In summary, we want to create conditions so that scientific knowledge is not limited to its production, but is also valued, shared, and transformed into responses that have an impact on society,” Mbanze said.
Established by the National Institute of Health (INS), FINS is a private, non-profit entity created to promote, support, and enhance health research and innovation through the mobilisation of financial resources and the building of partnerships across different sectors.
Among its priorities are the diversification of funding sources, recognition of national researchers, and the promotion of evidence-based policymaking in public health.
FINS Aims to Mobilise Resources and Diversify Funding to Strengthen Research
The foundation also intends to bring academic and scientific institutions closer to the private sector, government bodies, and communities in order to strengthen collaboration and foster the development of innovative and sustainable solutions in the health domain.
During her address, Mbanze also drew attention to the low levels of scientific literacy in Mozambican society, arguing that this limits citizens’ participation in research processes and their appreciation of the knowledge produced. “Limited literacy on research, innovation, and health conditions broader societal engagement and participation,” she said.
Mbanze called for greater involvement from civil society organisations and media outlets in disseminating scientific results and bringing research closer to the needs of communities.
As part of its initial initiatives, FINS has launched a grants programme designed to support young Mozambican researchers in attending international scientific conferences. The programme targets researchers aged 35 and under, affiliated with national research institutions, whose scientific abstracts have been accepted for presentation at international events. The initiative aims to expand opportunities for national researchers to participate in international scientific forums, contributing to knowledge-sharing and the strengthening of research capacity in Mozambique.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/?p=557574
