Mozambique’s Minister of Health, Ussene Isse, called on Monday, 2 November, in Maputo, for the country to transform knowledge produced through scientific research into concrete solutions for community health challenges. The statement came during the official launch of the Foundation for Support to Research and Innovation in Health (FINS), established to strengthen innovation, technological development, and the recognition of national researchers.

According to the Mozambique Information Agency (AIM), Ussene Isse argued that scientific research must be grounded in the real needs of the population and generate responses tailored to the country’s circumstances. “We must nationalise solutions and research so that we respond very clearly to the needs of our communities,” he said.

The minister explained that research findings must reach communities through clear and accessible language, enabling scientific knowledge to drive change in people’s lives and contribute to improved health services. He also argued that the questions, experiences, and needs of citizens should guide research studies, so that they directly address the problems the country faces.

To bring research closer to society, Ussene Isse stressed the importance of strengthening dialogue between researchers, schools, media organisations, and community bodies. This linkage, he said, should facilitate the dissemination of scientific knowledge and create greater opportunities for citizen participation in health research and innovation processes.

It is in this context that FINS was created. According to the minister, the foundation’s mission is to mobilise resources, support and recognise health research and innovation, promote technological development, and contribute to the training of Mozambican researchers. The institution is also expected to support research projects, build researcher capacity, establish partnerships, and facilitate the application of scientific results to national health priorities.

Ussene Isse said investment in research is particularly important given the challenges Mozambique faces, including population growth, disease transition, extreme climate events, trauma, and mental health issues. The country records annual population growth of 2.5%, with approximately 1.4 million births per year — a reality that demands greater capacity for anticipation and planning within the National Health System.

“We must nationalise solutions and research so that we respond very clearly to the needs of our communities” — Ussene Isse

Faced with these challenges, the minister argued that public policy must be guided by scientific evidence rather than theoretical assumptions alone. “If we have evidence before us, we will make much more concrete, much more objective decisions that are easier to measure and to monitor,” he observed, underscoring the importance of research in informing decisions and evaluating outcomes.

The minister also highlighted the role of young people in advancing science and innovation, noting that they represent 36% of Mozambique’s population. In this context, he announced the opening of applications for grants targeting young national researchers with innovative scientific work, enabling them to participate in international scientific conferences and raising the profile of Mozambican research output.

Ussene Isse concluded by calling on national and international partners, the private sector, and higher education institutions to join efforts to build sustainable national capacity in research and innovation. The creation of FINS falls within the government’s agenda to improve the health and well-being of the population by 2030, which identifies science, research, and innovation as priority areas of intervention.