Norwegian Forum for Global Health Research

FORUM 10 years anniversary­

To make a ­difference in the world 2 NORWEGIAN FORUM FOR GLOBAL HEALTH RESEARCH NORWEGIAN FORUM FOR GLOBAL HEALTH RESEARCH 3 Contents From the Forum Chair

From the Forum Chair 3 TEN YEARS OF FORUM activities have passed. A lot of work and efforts have been performed these years. Together, we have achieved great results. Highlights from the activities in Forum 4 For ­instance, all the conferences Forum has con- tributed to, have been of importance, and Forum Norwegian Research School of Global Health 7 has been important both by the work in the secre- tariat and by all the work from scientists. A large GLOBVAC – Programme for Global Health number of ­students have participated and be- come inspired by the conferences, and this is and Vaccination Research 8 ­important for recruitment to the scientific field. The co-operation with the Norwegian Research How Forum started 10 Council has been close and well-functioning. Participants at Forum board meeting in Tromsø, University of Oslo 14 As Forum has this ten-year anniversary, the November 2016. ­Forum board decided to celebrate by ­making this NTNU 17 small booklet. Forum invited member organiza- tions to describe shortly some of their work within the area of global health. The texts illus- University of Tromsø 20 trate clearly the high activity we have in global health in Norway at present.

There will probably be changes in the Forum work in the future. A Norwegian ­Institute for SINTEF 23 Global Health is planned. It is at present unclear how this will function, and how Forum will be organized in the future. However, let us hope this will be very beneficial for the global 26 University of Bergen health research­ in Norway. The important thing is to be very conscious about the aim of the work. Forum wants to make a difference in the world. Bergen University College 29 As the present chair of the Forum board, I would like to Norwegian ­Institute of Public ­Health 32 take this opportunity to express my appreciation for how well all members of the board have been working together Chr. Michelsen Institute 34 the past years. Thanks to Frode Forland, Arne Eide, ­Elisabeth Darj, Graziella Van den Bergh, Hans Hadders, Hedvig Nordeng, Johanne Sundby, Tordis Trovik and Erik Anda, and the deputies Ann K. Stensdotter, Ann Louise Lie, Elin Y. Dvergsdal, Jagrati Jani-Bølstad, Karen M. The secretariat, Ingvild Hope ­Moland, Nina Dalen, Per Ole Iversen, Stine Hellum­ and Therese Istad. Photo: B.E. Moen Braathen. A thank also to the observers Åse Marit ­Kristiansen, Bengt Skotheim, Kårstein Måseide, Marianne ­Monclair, Miriam Christ and Wenche Dageid. And last but not least: A large thank you to Therese M. Istad and Ingvild Hope who has been a great secretariat.

Bergen, December 18th 2016

Bente E. Moen Chair of Forum Board 4 NORWEGIAN FORUM FOR GLOBAL HEALTH RESEARCH 5 Highlights Therese Istad, from the activities Ingvild Hope and Bente E. Moen, in Forum Forum secretariat

Conferences Forum has co-operated closely with The Research Council of Norway over the years, and has participated in the planning and organizing of several large research conferences, most of them have been conferences related to the research programme «Globvac». Here is the list of conferences where Forum has contributed to the arrangement:

2016 Bergen, Forum conference 20 – 21 April 2016. Norwegian Global Health Networks with Impact 2015 Oslo, 9th conference, 17 – 18 March 2015. How can research inform the Post 2015 agenda for women’s and children’s health and rights? 2013 Bergen, 8th conference, 16 – 17 Oct 2013. Implementation Research in Global Health 2012 Trondheim, 7th conference, 26 – 27 Sept 2012. Innovation for Global Health 2011 Oslo, 6th conference, 12 – 13 Sept 2011. Contributions to Global Health Research, Capacity building and Governance 2010 Tromsø, 5th conference, 6 – 8 June 2010. Environmental Change and Global Health Climate and health: Declaration on Climate and Health Stener Kvinnsland opens the Forum 2016 2009 Oslo, 4th conference, 30 Nov – 2 Dec 2009. Meeting the challenges of the Millennium Adopted by the Board of the Norwegian Forum for Global Health conference in Bergen. Development Goals and beyond – Health research and policy Research, September 10, 2010 Photo: T.Tylleskär 2008 Bergen, 3rd conference, 30 – 31 Oct 2008. Global health – research for improved implementation http://folk.uib.no/lfa021/Klima%20og%20helse/Summaries&Documents/ 2007 Trondheim, 2nd conference, 18 – 19 Oct 2007. Engaging in global health research Declaration_on_Climate_and_Health%5B1%5D.pdf – Building capacity in Norway and in low-and middle-income countries 2006 Oslo, 1st conference, 16 – 17 Nov 2006. Norwegian Research for the Millennium The Lancet – UiO Commission on global governance for health (2014) Development Goals 4 and 5. The Forum has supported the Lancet – UiO Commission on global governance for health. A spin-off has been the establishment of an international independent panel on Global Governance for Health http://bit.ly/17X2TJD Inputs to important discussions on global health Forum has been a participating voice in several discussions over the years, for instance: Collaboration between students and the Forum Students have been important for Forum, and some specific activities have been performed Input for «Visjon2030 - nasjonal innovasjonsdugnad» (spring 2015) by students: http://www.visjon2030.no/ Mapping project (2012-2013) HelseOmsorg21 – Research and innovation strategy (finalized June 2014) A one year project where the Forum collaborated with 10 medical students who Three Forum members participated as delegates in the working group for global interviewed and made an overview of the stakeholders working within global health health challenges (Inger Scheel, Ottar Mæstad, Graziella Van den Bergh) in Norway. This resulted in a report: “Complex Challenges Call for Collaboration http://www.forskningsradet.no/servlet/Satellite?c=Page&pagename=helseomsorg21%2FHovedsidemal&cid=1253985487298 Across Boundaries: A Mapping of Perspectives from Research Institutions and Civil Society within Norwegian Global Health” Input to report after white paper on Global Health (2012-2013) http://www.globalhealth.no/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Final-GlobPol-reportprint-web-Oktober-2013.pdf Input to a report from the global health environment in Norway – in connection with the white paper on global health (Medl St 11, 2011-2012): Global health in foreign and development policy Launch seminar (2013) – Norwegian actors’ engagement in global health The report above was presented and its findings discussed at a seminar organized http://www.globalhealth.no/norad-bredt-engasjement-og-mange-suksesshistorier-iglobal-helse/ by the students and the Forum – the seminar entitled “Can we work together? Improved coordination and coherence within Global Health in Norway” was held at the Norwegian Directorate for Health at 2nd of October 2013 with a lot of invited speakers. http://www.globalhealth.no/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Improvedcoordination-and-coherence- within-Global-Health-in-Norway_Program.pdf 6 NORWEGIAN FORUM FOR GLOBAL HEALTH RESEARCH 7 Norwegian Research School of Global Health www.ntnu.edu/nrsgh

Film screening and panel discussion (2014) IN 2016, the Norwegian Research School of ­Global The Forum, together with Universities Allied Health (NRSGH) was established. This School aims for Essential Medicines and Medhum hosted a to strengthen the quality of PhD ­education and to film screening of the film “Fire in the blood” (on ­facilitate recruitment of young researchers in global the Aids epidemic), and organized a discussion health. An important task is to build capacity in afterwards with a panel discussion on access to ­global health by a strong national­ team to meet the essential medicines at Litteraturhuset in Oslo. challenges within education and research. http://www.globalhealth.no/events/fire-in-the-blood- PhD candidates with projects in global health, filmvisning-og-paneldebattom-tilgang-til-medisiner- ­registered at a Norwegian University or University litteraturhuset-oslo/ College, can become members. Lancet Youth Commission on Essential ­Medicines Policies (2015) Main objectives are; The Forum supports a group of young medical • to provide relevant courses for members in the doctors and students in forming a Youth Com- network Posters made by students have always been an mission for Essential Medicines to run alongside • to facilitate for candidates to participate in important part of the conferences where Forum has been involved. This is from Bergen 2016: the Lancet Commission of the same name. courses, by providing mobility grants http://ycemp.com/ Clare, Suzanna and Giulia. Photo: T. Tylleskär • to build a network among the PhD candidates, Board meeting for NRSGH in Trondheim in October 2016. by arranging annual conferences Photo: J. Tellefsen • to strengthen academic capacity, by arranging The social meetings between persons have been important at the conferences. regional seminars in partner institutions in Here is from a conference party at the Oslo Opera 2015. Photo: T. Tylleskär a low income setting • to improve quality of supervision in order to Board Members increase the quality of PhD theses in global health - Elisabeth Darj, • to increase awareness among academic leader- NTNU (Scientific director NRSGH) ship and policymakers to promote global health - Thorkild Tylleskär, UiB as a crucial research area (Chairman of the board) - Johanne Sundby, UiO The research school is funded by the Norwegian - Jan Rosenvinge, UiT - Bjørn Gunnar Iversen, NIPH ­Research Council for a six-year period, starting in April 2016. NRSGH is coordinated by the ­Faculty of PhD candidates: Medicine and Health Sciences, NTNU. Professor - Andrea Solnes Miltenburg, UiO Elisabeth Darj at Department of Public Health and Janne Lillelid Gjerde, UiB Nursing at NTNU is the director of the school. Evgeniya Sovershaeva, UiT The annual budget is 3 mill NOK, made available through a grant from the Norwegian Research International representative: ­Council, Global Health and Vaccination Programme - Flemming Konradsen, (GLOBVAC). NRSGH is a collaboration between University of Copenhagen Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), University­ of Oslo (UiO), University of NRSGH Administration ­Bergen (UiB), The Arctic University of Norway - Elin Yli Dvergsdal, Coordinator NTNU (UiT) and Norwegian Institute of Public­ Health - Line Marie Løw, UiO (NIPH). All partner institutions are represented in - Jorunn Hvalby, UiB the NRSGH Board. - Turid Austin Wæhler, UiT 8 GLOBVAC NORWEGIAN FORUM FOR GLOBAL HEALTH RESEARCH 9 The Programme

for Global Health and Wenche Dageid, The Research Council Vaccination Research of Norway

GLOBVAC IS AN observer to The Norwegian Forum health and health equity for poor people in low- GLOBVAC works in a number of ways to achieve ­neglected global health challenges. GLOBVAC is for Global Health Research Board. We are pleased and lower-middle income countries. these objectives. We fund researcher projects, also important for increasing the proportion of to support the Forum, which has played a key young research talents (post docs) and PhD stu- Norwegian investments in health research for role in strengthening global health research in Secondary objectives of the Programme are to: dents; events and workshops; and innovation ­developing countries. The programme contri­ Norway and has promoted communication and • Develop and support internationally compe­ projects for the industrial sector. We create meet- butes to building sustainable research environ- collaboration among actors in the field. Initia- titive and sustainable public and private ing places, such as seminars and the biannual ments in global health in Norway and in low- tives such as the Norwegian Research School in research groups and institutions in Norway. GLOBVAC conference: Be aware of the 2017 and lower-middle income countries (LMICs). Global Health and the successful national net- • Develop and support national and interna- GLOBVAC conference which will take place in Projects funded by GLOBVAC have demonstrat- work conference in Bergen in 2016 are proofs of tional research collaboration and partner- Trondheim 13-15 March 2017. We also give advice ed an increasing number of partnerships with in- the increased engagement between stakeholders ships. to and liaise with government and national and ternational actors in global health, for example in global health in Norway and internationally. • Secure capacity building through developing international stakeholders in global health. philanthropic institutions and product develop- GLOBVAC congratulates the Forum with its and supporting partnerships with research ment partnerships as well as renowned research 10-year Jubilee and is convinced that the future groups and institutions in low- and lower- The thematic areas of the GLOBVAC programme institutions abroad. for global health research is bright! middle income countries. are: • Inform and increase awareness among 1. Prevention and treatment of, and diagnostics GLOBVAC is working proactively to identify The primary objective of the GLOBVAC pro- policymakers, researchers and the public for, communicable diseases with particular knowledge gaps and areas of research needs and gramme (2012-2020) is to support high-quality about needs for and results from global health relevance for low and lower-middle income opportunities, through organizing conferences, research with potential for high impact that research. countries participation at international meetings, dia- can contribute to sustainable improvements in 2. Family planning, reproductive, maternal, logues with funding ministries, keeping in close neonatal, child and youth health contact with the research community and with 3. Health systems and health policy research inputs from the GLOBVAC Programme Board. Wenche Dageid from RCN is visiting Zambia and one of the Globvac funded projects in 2014. Photo: T. Tylleskär 4. Implementation research The Programme Board’s composition of inter­ 5. Innovation in technology and methods national experts from renowned research insti- development for maternal and child health tutions contribute to the strengthening of inter- national connections, both through enhancing A mid-term evaluation of the first phase of the the visibility of Norwegian research, and also GLOBVAC programme (2012-2015) was carried stimulate Norwegian research communities to out between September 2015 and February 2016. take part in international research consortia. The evaluation concluded that GLOBVAC has made significant achievements in a number of Funding for the GLOBVAC Programme comes ­areas and fills an important gap in the Norwegian from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the funding landscape. GLOBVAC has been particu- ­Ministry of Health and care Services. GLOBVAC larly successful in boosting the national capacity is a thematic research programme at the Division for global health and vaccination research. for Society and Health at the Research Council of Norway. GLOBVAC plays a key role in the funding and ­initiation of Norwegian research projects that can contribute to solving the large and often

NEXT GLOBVAC CONFERENCE “Ensuring healthy lives for all” Trondheim 14-15 March 2017 10 NORWEGIAN FORUM FOR GLOBAL HEALTH RESEARCH 11 How Forum started

TEN YEAR AGO, two professors; Gunnar Bjune at In Norway this fraction is estimated to be only 5%. Gunnar Kvåle speaking at a conference in 2002. the University of Oslo and Gunnar Kvåle at the To reduce this gap, the planning committee proposes Photo: T. Tylleskär that the Norwegian government establishes a research University of Bergen had an important conver­ programme for global health research, by an allocation sation. The result was a decision to establish of funds through the Research Council of Norway: ­Norwegian Forum for Global Health Research. NOK 20 million in 2006 increasing to NOK 52 million åsen in connection with a global health confer- Forum asked them some questions about this in 2010. This is necessary to bring Norway to the ence there. Board members were appointed on event. Professor Gunnar Kvåle was at home in average international level in global health research. the recommendation of the participating institu- Os, outside Bergen, and used some time to answer The programme will prioritize support to the best tions. research groups in order to build sustainable research our questions. Forum also got in contact with institutions with the potential of reaching the inter­ Gunnar Bjune. Bjune was very busy packing for national forefront». – Why was it important to establish Forum? a longer trip to Thailand, with very little time Kvåle: The purpose was to strengthen global for interviews, but he supplemented some of the The main reasons for establishing the Forum health research and training by establishing a information from Gunnar Kvåle. Here is what were: ­national forum for this field, as described in the they told us: “Better co-ordination of Norwegian activities in report of the Planning Committee for the Re- global health and global health research is needed. search Council’s new program for global health – How was Forum established, can you tell us Through the proposed programme, new activities in research delivered in 2005. Earlier, the Norwe- global health research will be initiated at Norwegian about this process? gian Association for International health (NIHA) institutions. Kvåle: The establishment of the Forum was based As a consequence, there will be a stronger requirement At the Global Health Conference in 2005, the had covered parts of this field, but NIHA was not upon the work related to a report commissioned for national exchange of information to improve proposal was discussed. There was an interest in a forum for researchers in the field. When Forum by the Research Council of Norway (RCN): ”Glob- research collaboration between institutions and to going ahead with the plan, and Gunnar Bjune and was established, NIHA was dissolved in 2006. al Health Research Report from a Planning Com- disseminate knowledge to central authorities in health Gunnar Kvåle developed a proposal as a basis for Norway had at the time, unlike many European mittee Commissioned by the Research Council and development” the inaugural meeting February 9, 2006. countries, no association for tropical medicine of Norway”. The Research Board for Strategic or international health and had therefore not Priorities at the Research Council established a The main functions of Forum were to: – Where did you have the inaugural meeting, and been represented in the ”Federation of European • Improve knowledge exchange and collaboration in Programme Committee for this work in 2004. Societies for Tropical Medicine and Internation- research among Norwegian institutions in the field who was present? The participants in this committee were: Gunnar of global health Kvåle: The inaugural meeting was held on Febru- al health” (FESTMIH). The Forum started to Kvåle (chair), Per Brandtzæg, Ib C. Bygbjerg, • Improve dissemination of knowledge to the govern- ary 9, 2006, at the Department of International represent Norway in this organization. FESTMIH ­Antonie Egeland, Sigrun Møgedal, John-Arne ment, relevant ministries and central authorities Health, University of Oslo. Present at the meet- organizes European conferences in tropical Røttingen, Johanne Sundby and Nils Gunnar dealing with global health issues and identification of ing were: Gunnar A. Bjune, University of Oslo, medicine and international health biannually. policy relevant areas by dissemination in the other Songstad (secretary). The Committee presented Gunnar Kvåle, UiB, Berit Rostad, NTNU, June Bjune: The most important reason was the finan- direction. plans for a new program for global health re- ­Jacobsen Steen, AUC, Tore Jarl Gutteberg, UiT cial system for international health research. • Improve collaboration on global health issues among search in April 2005. The Committee concluded research institutions, the government and the NGO and Nils Gunnar Songstad (NGS), University of Norway had several small and vulnerable re- that a national forum for global health research se c tor. Bergen (secretary). search environments, and these groups needed should be established as an organization repre- • Contribute to international processes and initiatives As observers attended: Karen Lieve Ria careful growth and working conditions. We senting groups involved in global health research in the field of global health and health research. Hosten, Research Council of Norway, Paul R. ­discovered that the RCN had started plans for a in Norway. These groups were surveyed as part of • Be a forum for development of evidence-based policy Fife, Norad. An Interim Board was appointed, program where the applicants had to apply to an on international health issues the preparation of the report. The main conclu- with the following menbers: Gunnar A. Bjune ­application system similar to the one used in EU • Keep an inventory of research activities and resources sions of the report were as follows: used for global health research in Norway (UiO), chairman, Gunnar Kvåle, (UiB), Deputy for large projects. We wanted to influence the • Organize conferences on global health research at Chairman, Tore Jarl Gutteberg (UiT), June ­situation. Using Forum, we could cooperate with “Less than 10% of the amount invested in health a regular basis in collaboration with the Board of ­Jacobsen Steen (AUC), Berit Rostad (NTNU), RCN as well as with each other. We wanted to research globally is devoted to research on health the new global health research programme at the Nils Gunnar Songstad (UiB), secretary. ­create a platform for scientific discussions and problems that account for 90% of the global disease Research Council of Norway The first General Assembly with a regular elec- scientific updates within international health burden. tion was held on 16 November 2006 at Voksen­ ­research. The Forum could serve as a unit fostering 12 NORWEGIAN FORUM FOR GLOBAL HEALTH RESEARCH The first Board Members 13 After two meetings in an interim board, Board Members for Forum were appointed November 16th 2006, after suggestions from the member ­institutions. The interim board was chaired by professor Gunnar A. Bjune, and the interim board meetings were held on February 9th and August 18th 2006. The election for a formal board establishment was held at a General ­Assembly in ­Forum at Voksenåsen kultur- og konferanse­hotell in Oslo. Here are the and greater direct support from the institutions has been a growing participation at GLOBVAC first board members: who participated in the Forum. With exception conferences, also by scientists and students from of the University of Bergen, the establishment of low-income countries. Networking for improving University of Tromsø large research groups in global health research, the quality of academic training among the differ- Member: Jon Øyvind Odland was rather slow. Another challenge was to devel- ent members of the network was a priority work Deputy: Nina Emaus op and provide good funding for other important from the early years. Some institutions in the net- fields in global health in addition to vaccine re- work were small and had limited possibilities for NTNU Trondheim search. The annual conferences run in coopera- high quality teaching at PhD level in global health. Member: Berit Rostad tion with the NRC was initially meant to cover all Therefore, work with the aim of establishing a Deputy: Arne Myhre areas of global health, not just vaccination re- ­national research school in global health was University of Oslo search. GLOBVAC with focus on vaccine research initi­ated. It is satisfying to see that funding for a Member: Gunnar A. Bjune and its own program committee played naturally research school in global health has been achieved Deputy: Gerd Holmboe-Ottesen an important role in setting priority for research from GLOBVAC for the period 2016-2022 as a agenda and topics to be covered at the annual ­result of an application coordinated by NTNU. University of Bergen Gunnar Bjune on a travel in Thailand. conferences. It is especially satisfying to see how research in Member: Gunnar Kvåle (First Chair) Photo: S.G. Hinderaker Bjune: I think the relation to RCN became a bit global health has grown, both in quantity and Deputy: Bente E. Moen too close. Forum followed the activities in RCN, quality, during the ten years the Forum has exist- Bergen University College co-operation between researchers; supporting and did not create own activities. It was difficult ed. GLOBVAC has covered most of the important Member: Karen Marie Moland multidisciplinary research. to run an independent association when it at the thematic areas, in addition to vaccination research, Deputy: Ingrid Onarheim Spjeldnæs same time was necessary to be very close to RCN. more similar to the strategic priorities listed in – What did you expect would be the consequence the RCN-report from 2005. Many candidates Agder University College of having Forum? – What do you think has been the most positive have been trained to the PhD and postdoc level. In Member: June Jacobsen Steen Kvåle: The starting point was to create a network aspect of the Forum work? order to achieve full benefit of this important Deputy: Svein Gunnar Gundersen that could contribute to strengthening global Kvåle: Forum created clearly greater interest and ­investment, the establishment of positions for Research institutions health research, not only at the universities, but involvement in Global Health Research. There ­senior scientists and professors in the field Member: Ottar Mæstad, CMI also at other research institutions where small of global health at the Universities and other Deputy: Laila Garberg Hagen groups or only a few individual researchers were ­research institutions should now have the highest involved in global health research. The funding Professor Rune Nilsen was the leader of Forum priority. Independent members was at that time weak and uncertain, as stated in in a period, and has been very supporting in the Bjune: The annual conferences have given an Member: Birger Sørensen ­establishment of multidisciplinary projects. the report of 2005. The report was released in ­impressive picture of the research we have in Deputy: Eystein Skjerve Photo: T. Tylleskär ­advance that the program GLOBVAC was estab- Norway in the field of global health. When I think Member: Berit Schei Deputy: Bente Træen lished in 2006. Instead of a gradual increase in about how few we were in the first years Forum funding to NOK 52 million annually that we had existed, and how low the activity was, I really see The Chairs of Forum proposed, Jens Stoltenberg decided to allocate how much this research field has grown. I think Gunnar Kvåle (2006 – 2008) NOK 50 million a year, earmarked for vaccina- the change has taken place with relatively minor Jon Ø. Odland (2008 – 2010) tion research, already from the year 2006. This investments from our national budget. There is Rune Nilsen (2010 – 2011) was good, but led to a different focus of global still room for more activity in our scientific popu- Inger Scheel (2012 – 2014) health than the planning committee had envis- lation, we have many interested persons who Bente E. Moen (2014 – 2016) aged and proposed in their report of 2005. could be included in projects. We need to contin- ue the work and keep spirits up for international – What were the largest challenges in the early health. years of Forum? Kvåle: We had hoped for a greater involvement 14 GLOBAL HEALTH NORWEGIAN FORUM FOR GLOBAL HEALTH RESEARCH 15

University of Oslo Professor Johanne Sundby, Scenes from a project Department of Community in Gambia, run by professor Medicine and Global Health, Johanne Sundby. University of Oslo Photos: C. Smaadal

THE LARGEST ANCHOR in international health at the University of Oslo (UiO) was cast in the nineties when we got our own professorship, first with Staffan Bergstrøm, later with Gunnar Bjune. The professorship was added to the Institute of Pub- lic Health, now Institute of Health and Society. Another important player was the Centre for ­Development and Environment, which covered parts of the social aspects of international health. We received a portion of the generous budget The Research Council of Norway had allocated for health and population in developing coun- tries (HEBUT), and I was attached to the depart-

ment through post-doc funds. Benedicte Ingstad Johanne Sundby Photo: C. Smaadal worked on Gambia and Women in Development for the World Bank. This was just ahead of the ­International Conference on Population strong – aided by NORAD stipend funds and and Development­ (ICPD) in Cairo in 1994 (where ­quota scholarships, NUFU and other sources of I was as Norwegian delegate) and the Women’s funding. We had a huge number of applicants for Conference in Beijing. The policy from these our 20-25 places, and too few supervisors… conferences was to be implemented in pro- Our scientists started cooperation in Ethiopia, grammes and in teaching. Bangladesh (NOMA, Akthar Hussain), Malawi Naturally, there was much focus on women, (NUFU), and Tanzania (Kåre Moen). We expand- ­reproduction and fertility in the beginning, also ed to include PhD-candidates, and also won an in our group. Gradually, Global Health at UiO award for quality in the master study. The major- found three solid legs to stand on: Tuberculosis, ity of our candidates completed their studies and diabetes and reproductive health rested on the returned to their home countries. If you try to shoulders of three researchers. establish a cooperation with Malawi and Gambia I worked for some years myself with research these days, you will run into “graduates” from on fertility and infertility in Gambia and UiO in all parts of the system there. They have ­Zimbabwe. During this period, we were able to learnt research and analytical work – and brought start a cooperation with University of the North with them some of our values: the global commu- in South-Africa, with funds from NUFU, and nity, an equitable distribution of services, quality we were also able to start a cooperation with of health interventions. The number of countries ­Mozambique within the same framework. Gunnar we cooperated with increased; Espen Bjertness Bjune brought with him experiences from a and Gerd Holmboe Ottesen opted to work with ­master study in Bergen, and without further ado, the new Palestinian institutions and the need for we started this study in Oslo, largely driven by documentation of living conditions there. volunteer work, and implemented by cutting a People have come and gone; some of our number of bureaucratic corners. It shows that founders have retired, major funding sources if you really want to make something work, you have ceased to fund us, new topics and new can, even though the system works against you. ­bureaucratic processes have come to stay. We The Master study at HELSAM grew big and cannot mention all. Heidi Fjeld, Trygve Ottesen, 16 NORWEGIAN FORUM FOR GLOBAL HEALTH RESEARCH GLOBAL HEALTH 17

NTNU Elisabeth Darj and Elin Dvergsdal, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Tronheim

NTNU HAS THE VISION; Knowledge for a better world ­research, methodology and results. These semi- with a pronounced goal, 40% of the students nars have developed into a forum for discussions at the university shall participate during some of global health projects. part of their studies in a foreign setting of an ­academic environment. Faculty of Medicine International Master program in global health and Health Sciences has the vision; Health for In August 2015, NTNU started a new two-year a better world and one goal is that global health ­international Master’s program in Public Health shall be taught in all educational programs. with specialization in Global Health at NTNU. ­Global health is a prioritized area of the Faculty In the first year 498 students applied for the and the university. In September 2013 the first ­program and 25 students from 13 different professor in global health was employed at ­countries were admitted to the program. Seven NTNU, Elisabeth Darj, a Swedish obstetrician/ theoretical courses are held in the first two gynecologist, with vast experience of research ­semesters, providing 7,5-15 ECTS each; Basic in developing regions. She is affiliated to the Global Health, Statistics, Epidemiology, Qualita- ­Department of Public Health and Nursing at tive Research Methods, Health Policies, Experts NTNU and to the Department of Obstetrics and in Team and ­Innovation in Global Health. In the Gynecology at St. Olavs Hospital. following semester­ the students collect data for their ­master thesis, preferable in a low income Global Health Day country. After field work they return to Trond- Every year a ‘Global Health Day’ is held in heim for ­analyzing and writing the master thesis, Field work in Ghana. Photo: C. Smaadal ­employed. We have also shifted focus from being ­October. Recognized international and national in ­collaboration with the supervisors. Students on a grass rot level to understanding political scholars are invited to speak for researchers, ­ at NTNU are planning a national network for ­ Kåre Moen, Benedikte Lindskog, Viva C. Thorsen, ­systems, global decisions and major initiatives. ­students, PhD candidates and employees at ­master students in global health. Ahmed Madhar and more have been faithful Both are important. The master study continues St. Olavs Hospital. Two current topics are in focus http://www.ntnu.edu/web/master-of-science-in- ­participants and supporters together with col- without any scholarships to give out, and there- each year. Antibiotic resistance and Migration public-health-msph- leagues from The Norwegian Knowledge Centre fore also with more students from the north Health were the chosen themes in 2016. We for the Health Services and Norwegian Institute ­rather than the south. We have also achieved have been financially supported by and has col- of Public Health. more in our PhD-programme, with courses in laborated with the Research Council of Norway, Myself, I quickly changed field from infertility global health and now also the joint Norwegian St. Olavs Hospital, Helse Midt-Norge, and the and fertility research to a broader focus on repro- research school. former Høgskolen i Sør-Trøndelag (HiST). This ductive health. Together with my master stu- We also expand thematically; neurology, infec- event has received considerable media attention dents and PhD-candidates from Norway and the tions, mental health, medical history with a and reaches now between 300–400 delegates, South, we looked at pregnant women with HIV, ­global view. We are still small, and struggle to from Norway and neighboring countries. In mothers’ health, circumcision, antenatal care, make ends meet, to gain enough resources for all collabo­ration with the Faculty, medical students perinatal mortality, illegal abortion, norms and the tasks that are standing in line, and all the arrange an evening event before Global Health barriers. I believe we have to do more than just ­bureaucratic impositions that these days keep Day, in ­order to promote the importance of global count – we need to understand and explain, dis- popping up like rabbits from top hats. People health issues for healthcare students. cuss and find strategies for change. such as Vibeke Christie, Line Løw and Ragnhild http://www.ntnu.no/mh/globalhelsedag In the latest years we have expanded with Beyrer have been with us all the way, together Elisabeth Darj is standing between Albrecht Jahn, NORHED projects in Myanmar and Ethiopia. with people who have joined us along the way. Global health seminars ­University of Heidelberg and Sabrina Moyo from Muhimbili We also have a new initiative: Centre for Global Regularly every month since 2014 we arrange University of Health and Allied Sciences, Tanzania/ Health and a new professorship. Professor Andrea Thank you everyone. global health seminars, where students, re- University of Bergen. This was on the Global Health Day Winkler from Germany has recently been We will keep on working together! searchers and PhD candidates present their at NTNU, Trondheim in October 2016. Photo: E.Y. Dvergsdal 18 NORWEGIAN FORUM FOR GLOBAL HEALTH RESEARCH 19

Norwegian Research School of Global Health Strategically collaboration countries Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences has world. NTNU has an agreement with the College ­applied together with the universities in Oslo, strategically chosen five low income countries of Medicine at University of Malawi for collabo- Bergen, Tromsø and Institute of Public Health for collaboration. This has facilitated networking ration. In Malawi there is an unacceptable high and received funds for establishing a national and capacity building in these universities, apart maternal mortality and unsafe abortion is a sub- ­research school in global health. This school from ongoing individual research contacts in stantial part of these fatalities. A research project started in April 2016. Currently approximately other countries. PhD-, Master-, medical- , nurs- with an intervention to improve post abortion 80 of the eligible PhD candidates are member ing-, and students in physiotherapy and other care is currently ongoing. of the school. disciplines are all benefitting from these formal http://www.ntnu.edu/nrsgh/ collaborations. The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences has collaboration with a Norwegian NGO, Capa Care, Global health education at NTNU NTNU has established collaboration and signed working in Sierra Leone. Due to severe lack of During medical studies global health is intro- an agreement with Kathmandu University surgeons in the country, Community Health Offi- duced already in the first semester. Global health School of Medical Science (KUSMS) in Nepal in cers (CHOs) are enrolled in a three-year training is a recurring subject during the education, con- order to strengthen the research capacity and program to manage the most common surgical necting clinical practice to the situation in other several research projects are ongoing. A large and obstetric emergencies and traumas present- countries. Several students participate in clinical project in emergency care at Duhlikhel Hospital, ing at district hospitals. Since the start in 2011, 48 practice or perform their theses of medicine aligned with KUSMS, aims to improve immediate Sierra Leonean surgical assistants and young ­(hovedoppgave) in a low income setting and a care and has successfully introduced a triage medical doctors have been trained in this pro- Summer school for medical students in Norway ­system. This came directly in use during the two gram. The surgical assistants have performed is established in Nepal at Kathmandu University. major earthquakes that struck Nepal in April 30,000 major surgical operations and are respon- Likewise, is global health a mandatory course at and May 2015. PhD-candidates are studying the sible for more than half of the caesarean sections the Nursing school in Trondheim. triage system during emergencies at the hospital, that are performed. In a project, researchers mental brain disorders, different aspects of from NTNU are studying the effects of the on­ NTNU has lately been hosting national events, ­domestic violence, cervical cancer, and neon­ going education of non-physicians in surgery. such as the Vision2030 conference with a global atology in Nepal. All candidates have supervisors ­Sierra Leone was badly affected by the Ebola aspect of health and education in 2015. In at NTNU and locally and they are financed from ­outbreak and the group was able to publish the

­N­ovember 2016 Crown princess Mette-Marit various Norwegian funders. situation and access to caesarean sections before, Men in Bakthapur. Photo: E.Y. Dvergsdal met the Special advisor, Tore Godal in a public during and after the Ebola outbreak. ­dialog concerning his long contribution in WHO In collaboration with the University of Kwa-­ and how to put global health challenges on the Zulu-Natal, South-Africa, education in obstetric Tanzania is the fifth strategically chosen country ­international agenda. Together they stressed ultrasound examinations is performed. In an in- for collaboration. The Vice Chancellors of NTNU the importance to involve young students for terdisciplinary innovation project, robust ultra- and Muhimbili University of Health and Allied achieving a better world for the next generation. sound machines have been developed, suitable Sciences (MUHAS) in Dar es Salaam signed a Sir Michael Marmot, chairman of the Commis- for resource limited, low income settings. The Memorandum of understanding in 2014. Medical sion on Social Determinants of Health and Presi- project aims to detect abnormal findings and re- students from NTNU have had their practical dent of the World Medical Association was fer women with high risk pregnancies to a higher training in Muhimbili National Hospital. Com- ­selected and became Honorary Doctor at NTNU level of care, with the ultimate goal to reduce mon applications for funding have been pro- this year. ­maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. duced and collaboration between the two univer- sities concerning their respective Masters programs in Public Health and Global health is ongoing. Data collection for research projects emanating from NTNU are performed at MUHAS. 20 GLOBAL HEALTH 21

University of Tromsø Erik Anda, ­ University of Tromsø

THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY of global health at the and still characterizes much of the work in global University of Tromsø (UiT) – Norway’s Arctic health, both at UiT and UNN. All departments at University – is small, but strong. It is character- UiT in Health Sciences, currently have co-opera- ized by dedicated enthusiasts who run projects tion with Russia in research and/or education. both in health and educational activities, as The co-operation involves everything from well as projects with a more direct solidarity teaching collaboration in public health research ­focus. UiT and the University Hospital of North- to research in dentistry in the Barents Region. In ern Norway (UNN) are known to be solidarity addition, projects in telemedicine and e-learning ­institutions, which is exemplified by the work are highlighted as examples of co-operation with of Mads Gilbert in Gaza, Vegard Skogen in Russia on issues related to global health. North- Russia and of projects at the former Tromsø west Russia is an area which is similar to North- Mine ­Victim Resource Centre, which worked ern Norway, being characterized by large dis- Gori in November with the Caucasian mountains in the background. Photo: T.A. Wæhler to strengthen the competence in trauma care in tances and limited infrastructure in several countries like Cambodia, Vietnam and Afghani- places. Norway and Russia have for over two stan. ­decades worked together to improve health ­services for people in rural areas, with special From Russia to Malawi rative in Public Health (GeNoC-PH)” is funded Common challenges gives neighbor emphasis on nomadic populations. Russia is an important partner for UiT and by the Centre for International Cooperation in co-operation UNN, and northwestern Russia is, together with Education (SIU) and will run for a period of four

Within research and education, there has tradi- From a seminar on global health in the north, arranged Malawi, the priority partner for both UiT and years. It is important to emphasize that this is tionally been much co-operation with Russia in by Senter for arktisk og global helse and Forum UNN in the field of international health. A partic- not aid, but a genuine partnership. UiT utilizes the Northern area. This began in the early 1990s, 4. november 2016. Photo: T.A. Wæhler ularly important research project aims to im- both teachers and medical data from Georgia, prove the quality of life for HIV-infected mothers and ­additionally gets its exchange obligations in and children in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. an agreement between the two local universities fulfilled. As of 1 January 2017, two master stu- Large-scale registry project in Georgia dents and three PhD students work with data Georgia in Caucasus is the only country in the from GBR. The projects cover topics such as; world defined as a developing country which has i) perinatal morbidity and mortality, ii) maternal a national medical birth registry. ”The Georgia morbidity and mortality, iii) the overuse of Birth Registry (GBR)” was created through a ­cesarean sectios, iv) quality assurance through partnership with UNICEF, the Institute of Public ”case reporting” and v) the development of Health in Tbilisi and UiT. The register com- ­national growth curves in pregnancy. Further menced on January 1, 2016 and is now fully func- plans for cooperation­ with Georgia includes the tional with a coverage of over 98% and nearly establishment of a Master’s degree in midwifery 60 000 registered births. The register is digital in Tbilisi. and fully integrated with every part of antenatal care. It turns out, however, that the expertise in International population surveys the use of the registry, i.e the registry epidemiol- The position of UiT on “the top of the world” ogy, is somewhat limited. If the potential of the brings an Arctic dimension into the global health register should be fully used, we would have to work; with its associated indigenous groups; apply for funds for a research and education which separates UiT from other Norwegian insti- ­project that have in mind to raise this expertise tutions. It has been proved that the best way to in both Georgia and Norway. The project, which conduct public health research in the North is has been named ”Georgian-Norwegian Collabo- not necessarily to focus on ethnicity alone, but to 22 GLOBAL HEALTH NORWEGIAN FORUM FOR GLOBAL HEALTH RESEARCH 23 SINTEF Arne Eide, SINTEF

SINTEF’S HEALTH RESEARCH community has been Here are examples of research that SINTEF ­engaged in global health for the last 20 years. ­either leads or is in partnership with others: Originally, this research activity was mainly re- • Development aid projects. SINTEF has lated to research on disability and rehabilitation. conducted 12 national, representative studies In recent years, there has been a shift towards that have surveyed the living conditions of ­research on vulnerable groups, with living con­ disabled people in nine countries in southern ditions of disabled persons as a central topic. In Africa and in Nepal. In 2016, studies on living addition, this research has a service perspective conditions in Nepal and Botswana were in relation to healthcare and other basic services. ended, and a study in Malawi started. Consistently for much of this activity, we have Nine of the studies has been funded by the a user perspective of the research, both thema­ FFO in Norway / Atlas Alliance, two by tically and organizationally. The scientists in- UNICEF and one by the Research Council volved in global health research at SINTEF have of Norway. The studies have been conducted various types of expertise, such as anthropology, in collaboration with local universities and technology, public health, behavioral science, organizations for the disabled. ­political science and economics. Geographically, • Local Rehabilitation Workshops (LOREWO): research and development projects at SINTEF Development of services for disabled people have the main activity in the southern part of in Zimbabwe and Namibia. This includes ­Africa, but the project portfolio also includes creation, training and production of wheel- other geographical areas, such as Africa north of chairs and walking aids and an extensive the Sahara, the Middle East and several Asian cooperation with authorities and organiza- countries. tions about the deployment, customization Georgia is the only developing country in the world with a national birth register. Photo: T. A. Wæhler and maintenance. This development project

Interviewing in Zambia, in a SINTEF project. Photo: K.G. Hem was initially funded by UNDP, and later taken

study large populations, such as the Tromsø The way forward Study. This project is also relevant for a global For just over a year ago, UiT, UNN and Helse context. The project ”Heart to Heart” compares Nord RHF decided to join their competence in data from the Tromsø Study with data collected global health in northern Norway to one unit. from northwestern Russia. The purpose is to This is why we now have established the Centre gain knowledge of what makes great differences of Arctic and global health (SAG), which is in mortality due to cardiovascular diseases, ­anchored at all these three institutions. This ­comparing Norway and Russia. Russians have ­establishment demonstrate that this scientific four times higher risk of dying from this type of area is a strategic research area in the North. We diseases than Norwegians, and we would like to hope for a fruitful co-operation in the years to know why. The project is led by David Leon, come. ­adjunct professor at the University of Tromsø, and aims to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease in general, and to improve treatment for patients with this type of disorders in Russia. 24 NORWEGIAN FORUM FOR GLOBAL HEALTH RESEARCH 25

over by the Atlas Alliance. The development • ’The myth of asexuality’: This is a study that project was carried out in cooperation with examines how stigma affects disabilities local authorities and disability organizations. opportunities to achieve sexual and reproduc- • EquitAble: These are studies on access to and tive rights in South Africa. The study is a quality of health services for vulnerable combination of a survey aimed at the general groups in Sudan, Malawi, Namibia and South population which studies attitudes and Africa. The project is a combination of policy knowledge about disabilities and sexuality, as analysis, surveys and qualitative studies. This well as a qualitative study that uses ’photo has been performed as an international voice’ and qualitative in-depth interviews of consortium with partners in Europe (Trinity people with physical disabilities. The study is College Dublin) and in Africa (Ahfad Univer- conducted in collaboration with University sity for Women, University of Malawi, Univer- of East London, Stellenbosch University and sity of Namibia and Stellenbosch University) Southern African Federation of the Disabled and has been funded through the EU FP 7. (SAFOD), and is funded by the International • GeoHealthAccess: A combination of survey Foundation of Applied Disability Research data from EquitAble and geographic data to (FIRAH). develop and test a model for identifying • Disability and Education in Malawi: This is a barriers of access to health care for vulnerable qualitative study that looks at children with groups in poor countries. The project has various disabilities and their experiences extensive cooperation between SINTEF related to the educational system in Malawi. and NTNU, the University of Malawi and the The study is conducted in collaboration with University of Namibia, Cambridge and East the University of Malawi and funded by the Anglia Universities and is funded by the FFO. Research Council of Norway • A new project will be carried out from 2017 • ALMA: This is a national representative study in collaboration with DEAF AID, Listen AS, Repairing of wheel chairs locally is a part and qualitative study that looks at the rela- NTNU and Open University, Tanzania. of a SINTEF project in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. tionship between poverty and alcohol use in Funded by Norwegian Research Council/ This is from a LOREWO workshop, 2013. Photo: T. Øderud, SINTEF Malawi. The study also looks at the preva- Vision 2030. The project will aim at increas- lence of alcohol use among the population ing primary and lower secondary school and their drinking patterns. In this project attendance and achievement for children with SINTEF has an ambition of contributing in the ­expertise in medical technology, ICT and welfare SINTEF has a cooperation with the Norwe- hearing impairment in Tanzania. The idea is battle against poverty, through studies that technology and can develop intervention studies gian aid organization FORUT, their partners to develop new equipment to support hearing ­greatly contribute to new knowledge about living that will show to what extent and in what way in Malawi, the University of Oslo, the Univer- and that is adapted to contexts and situations standards in vulnerable groups. SINTEF is a modern technology can help in the fight against sity of Malawi and Hedmark University with limited resources and a sustainable and technological institute, but has a large group of poverty. College. participatory model for hearing impairment social scientists and researchers with a health services in Tanzania. care background. Part of the strengths of SINTEF is to combine different types of high skills in ­order to solve major social tasks. SINTEF can thus connect global health competence with 26 GLOBAL HEALTH 27

University Bente E. Moen, CIH, University of Bergen of Bergen

THE CENTRE FOR International Health at the Faculty graduated from this scientific environment, most of Medicine and Dentistry (MOF), University of of them from low or middle income countries. A Bergen (UiB) aims to initiate and foster educa- large number of the graduated candidates, from a tion and research relevant to important health large number of countries, are now based in the problems in developing countries. CIH has a par- universities in their home countries, and are im- ticular obligation to work interfacultary at the portant for development of scientific skills and UiB; together with the departments at MOF as higher education. well as with other faculties at UiB, and also to co- Research groups at CIH were evaluated as operate with other Norwegian research entities. “Excellent” by the Research Council of Norway From 2013 the centre has been a part of Depart- (RCN) both in 2003 and in 2011. A research Centre ment of Global Public Health and Primary Care of excellence funded by RCN –“ Centre for Inter- at UiB. vention Science in Maternal and Child Health” PhD candidate Barbara with her data collectors search generates knowledge that will contribute (CISMAC) was inaugurated at CIH 15th October in Uganda. Photo: T. Tylleskär to improve health and survival of mothers and History of CIH 2013, under the leadership of professor Halvor children in Asia and Africa. It hopes to play The Centre for International Health was estab- Sommerfelt. a ­pivotal role in CIH’s quest to foster excellent lished in 1988, under the leadership of professor The centre also runs a Master study. Earlier ­research and capacity strengthening in inter­ Bjarne Bjorvatn, and has later been headed by Education at CIH on, we had two studies for the Master’s degree: national health. CISMAC is an international the professors Gunnar Kvåle, Bernt Lindtjørn, The centre is much involved in teaching medical Master in International Health and Master of ­consortium, anchored at CIH. Research institu- Rune Nilsen and Knut Fylkesnes. The Centre has students global health. All medical students at Philosphy in Oral Sciences. These two have been tions elsewhere in Norway and in Ethiopia, India, now 12 professors, and is an important inter­ the faculty participate in a one week “Global merged to a joint Master in Global Health. CIH Nepal, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia are disciplinary centre in international health in Health” course. Some medical students choose has a local research school, the CIH research partners in the consortium, and CISMAC is also Scandinavia. About 140 PhD students and several “Global Health” as an additional elective course. school. About 60 PhD candidates are members supported by the WHO. hundreds of students with a Master’s degree have This course is very popular and includes field of this research school, and most of these are in work in a low income country. In 2016 more than their home countries. Staff at CIH 30 students participated in this elective course The main core of CIH is located in Overlege The participants from Bergen on the Globvac and stayed for 8 weeks at partner institutions. Research at CIH ­Danielsens House at the University of Bergen. ­conference in Oslo 2015. Photo: T. Tylleskär The main research topics at CIH are: Mother and Twelve professors and eight temporary em- child health, Child health and nutrition, Repro- ployed scientific personnel have their offices ductive health, HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Devel- there and in addition, there is an administration opment of new interventions and impact evalua- of ten persons. However, a large number of scien- tion of existing interventions, Vaccines for tific personnel are associated with the centre, child­hood diarrhea, Scale-up of exclusive breast- and participate in teaching or research. In 2015 feeding, Treatment of common childhood infec- we counted 75 persons in this category. It is great tions, Health policy and systems research, to have this type of activity at the centre. ­Disease prevention and health promotion, Oral health in a global perspective, Occupational Network - partners health, Respiratory health problems. Researchers at CIH have active research cooper- As mentioned, CIH hosts a Centre of excellent ation with a large number of developing coun- research: CISMAC – Centre for intervention tries: Tanzania, Ethiopia, South-Africa, Uganda, ­science in maternal and child health. CISMAC Zambia, Botswana, Guinea-Bissau, Ghana, The and CIH work together to fulfill their visions of Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Malawi, improving health for poor populations, through Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh. CIH high quality research and learning. CISMAC re- is in partnership with institutions in these coun- 28 NORWEGIAN FORUM FOR GLOBAL HEALTH RESEARCH GLOBAL HEALTH 29 Bergen University Graziella Van den Bergh, College Bergen University Collage

BERGEN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE (BUC) has been part of lum development and capacity- and competence-­ the Forum for Global Health Research since its building, at home and abroad. Activities were inception. The inclusion of allied health profes- funded by ­Ministries, the Norwegian Research sions and social scientists in a medically domi- Foundation, NORAD and its Quota grants, the nated network confirms the Forum’s holistic and Centre for ­International Education Collabora- interdisciplinary vision, something the Sustain- tion (SIU), the exchange organization Freds­ able Development Goals, and human resources’ korpset (FK), and NGO’s. crisis in health, call for. BUC comprises Faculties of Education; of En- Global health and social work education gineering and Administration; and of Health and through student- and staff mobility Social Sciences, and it offers multiple bachelors, Activities began with outgoing and incoming masters and PhD programs to (by December ­student- and staff mobility, to Cuba, Botswana, 2016) about 7,700 students. BUC has a social mis- Ethiopia, Malawi, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania sion: to provide education, research, academic and beyond. At a bachelor and continuing educa- and artistic development, innovation and dis- tion level, several hundreds of students from semination - with the aim of solving regional, na- nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, tional and global challenges, such as promoting radiography, social work and social education, health and health care for marginalized popula- midwifery, community nursing and mental tion groups, locally and globally. health had clinical practice- and theoretical stud- Centre for International Health is engaged in several projects on malaria, like here in Ethiopia. Photo: B. Lindtjørn In global health, the Faculty of Health and ies in partner countries. International modules ­Social Sciences has contributed through educa- and hybrid face-to-face and online courses (from tional and research partnerships from BSc to 3 to 60 ECTS credits), such as “Global Health and PhD- level,­ while collaborating with several low- tries, and researches at CIH often work in these CIH will work close with an administrative unit, and middle-income countries (LMIC) in curricu- Protheses are important in rehabilitation. G. Van den Bergh countries with teaching, supervision and network UiB Global, to fulfil the planned work. This is relations. a great challenge and we are excited and look ­forward to this new co-operation. Global challenges As a part of n new strategic plan at the University The centre vision of Bergen, UiB has decided that “Global Chal- We would like our research and teaching in inter- lenges” will be a main area for the coming years national health to contribute to improved health (2016–2020). CIH will be in the lead of this stra- for the poor populations in the world. tegic work. The plan is to develop interdisciplin- ary work in this area, as an interfacultary action. 30 NORWEGIAN FORUM FOR GLOBAL HEALTH RESEARCH 31

2012, thus scaling-up sustainable rehabilitation in Malawi or hospital hygiene; or midwives’ Global Health: Implications for rehabilitation», services. This initially North-South; and lastly ­challenges in Ethiopia. Much results in new in June 2016. BUC’s various partnerships culmi- South-South collaboration has included rehabil- ­partnerships, such as education of midwives in nated in assembling participants from Bangla- itation institutions in Tanzania (CCBRT: http:// Afghanistan. desh, Eastern Europe, Nepal, Peru, South Africa, www.ccbrt.or.tz/home/) and the University of Nursing and Social Work Depts. had central Sudan, Tanzania, Vietnam etc. who discussed Western Cape (South Africa) thus securing con- roles in research with Tanzania, Sudan and successes and challenges in filling rehabilitation-­ text-appropriate networking. ­Ethiopia, through several NUFU and NRC grants gaps and responding to the Rights of Persons In Ethiopia, BUC has collaborated with Mil- (2001-2012). Examples are projects on maternal- with Disabilities at this conference. Sessions on lennium Medical College (2011–2015), develop- and child health in AIDS contexts, including leadership, policy and governance, service provi- ing both an Intensive care and operation nursing film-production, and on social mobilization sion, human resources, and technology addressed­ postgraduate education, thus increasing capacity among vulnerable groups regarding reproduc- how to assure a continuum-of-care between­ and quality in hospital-care. tive rights and social protection, on issues of ­facility-based and community-based services, Another most successful academic endeavour HIV prevention, breastfeeding, orphans, female bridging prevention, treatment and rehabilita- was a NOMA funded master degree program circumcision or albinism. An impressive number tion, whether for congenital or acquired disabili- in Tanzania, Ethiopia and Uganda (2010–2014). of the African master- and PhD students funded ties (spina bifida, burns, spinal cordinjury, ­ First Operation nurses batch at Millennium Medical In collaboration with Muhimbili University of by these projects are now employed in leading stroke, diabetes, fistula etc.). Papers demonstrat- College, Ethiopia Photo: HIB Health and Allied Sciences, and Addis Ababa positions at home, whether as deans or depart- ed how rehabilitation policies must be holistic, and Makerere University, clinical MSc in nursing ment- or research directors. not only addressing health, but also acting upon Cultural Awareness in Nursing»; “Comparative within maternal and women’s health, critical education, livelihood, social participation and Social Work” and “Community Work in an ­Inter- care and mental health were developed, to train Disability and rehabilitation empowerment. Training (and retaining!) profes- national Perspective” (http://vircamp.net/) or high-level teachers in the respective countries. Disability and rehabilitation is another import- sionals and lay-workers; the use of ICT, mobile “Body Awareness in Physiotherapy and Mental As graduates expressed, they are to become “the ant research subject at BUC. Due to global popu- technology and telemedicine, and equitable fi- Health” have run for over a decade. A “Global leaders and policymakers of the future in our lation ageing, growing incidence of chronic dis- nancing models need more exploration, especial- Health Summer Institute in Physiotherapy” respective­ fields!”. eases and mental illnesses, and environmental ly for rural areas. at BUC/Duke University (2012–2016), allowed factors, periodic and chronic disability will likely Finally, BUC’s research engagement is ex- about 90 international (HIC) students to attend Multi-disciplinary global health research increase. Today, approximately 15% of the world’s panding to immigrant and minority health. For a one-week course on global rehabilitation. Along these activities, several individual and population live with a disability, and 90-150 mil- instance, the Centre for Care Research leads a The other way around, (yet too few) quota ­collaborative research projects were carried out lion are children (WHO, 2011; UNICEF, 2013). large project on multicultural staff in Norwegian bachelor and master students in physiotherapy, and/or supervised by BUC faculty, of whom many Research on the role of NGOs and civil society for nursing homes, while the Centre for Evidence- nursing and social work from Sudan, Ethiopia have double-competence in both a health profes- children with disabilities in Sudan and Tanzania Based Practice works on maternal health among and Tanzania for example, have graduated at sion and in political sciences, social anthropo­ (2012-2015), showed how successful practices immigrant women. BUC before returning home. logy or psychology. Topics included: community result in increased public and systemic focus on work, public health, sexual and reproductive inclusion and enablement in both countries. Our Merge of university collages Global capacity building in allied ­ health, epidemiology, social protection, rehabili- research has focused on nutrition in cerebral From January 1 2017, BUC merges with Stord/ health professions tation etc. ­palsy and autism; on community-based rehabili- Haugesund University College and Sogn og In the field of capacity building, staff exchange Doctoral theses were defended (2008–2013) tation (CBR); on mobility devices for children ­Fjordane University College to become Western collaborations have flourished, which yearly on fertility and motherhood in Gambia; on with disabilities and on their psycho-social well- Norway University of Applied Sciences. With gives several hundreds of graduates with high-­ ­Tanzanian teenagers, abortion and HIV, and being. Furthermore, the BUC faculty has super- about 16,000 students and a vision of contribut- level competence. on young parenthood in South Africa. Multiple vised disability-related PhD/MPhil projects at ing to global knowledge development for a A fruitful collaboration was with Ahfad Uni- ­master theses were delivered: on disaster man- other institutions; on injuries in Sudan, health ­sustainable society, the scope of promoting­ versity for Women (2007–2015), in developing agement; female circumcision in Somaliland; promotion in Kenya, mobility technology in global health partnerships, training and critical a BSc in Physiotherapy in Sudan, resulting in clubfoot-management, and physical activity in ­Pakistan and Peru, obstetric fistula in Uganda etc. research will continue, while securing broader batches of physiotherapists graduating since diabetes in Tanzania; fracture management BUC arranged the conference: «Disability and geographical, professional and scientific fields. 32 GLOBAL HEALTH NORWEGIAN FORUM FOR GLOBAL HEALTH RESEARCH 33 Norwegian ­ Jagrati Jani-Bølstad Institute of and Frode Forland, ­ Norwegian Institute of Public ­Health Public Health, Oslo

Vaccine development is an important research area at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Photo: G. Tjalvin

IN CONNECTION WITH the 10th year anniversary systematic reviews, evaluations and assess- Through a framework agreement with Norad of the Norwegian Forum for Global Health ments to guide national and international consultancies and evaluations are financed. ­Research, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health health authorities ­Although this funding sources isn’t aimed at (NIPH), as a partner in the Forum, offers here a ­research, it strengthens our understanding and description of its global health activities. The scope of collaboration in Global health participation in global debates and synergizes NIPH recognizes the increasing need to ­address NIPH efforts in global health include collabora- funding opportunities. global health issues both as a national concern tions with multilateral organizations such as: and to serve the global community. The field of The road to success for Global Health 1. World Health Organization global health requires mutual responsibility and NIPH has several national functions with in pre- The Norwegian Institute of Public Health is the national solutions that involve cooperation, joint ­actions, focal point for the International Health Regulations (IHR). paredness, research and health analyses, evalua- and international agreements to ensure access to Upon WHO request, the Institute contributes with expertise tions and advice, services and infrastructure and GHPP invites global health research on imple- global public goods across sovereign country especially in emergencies. Additionally, the Institute’s communication. mentation of the IHR and measures to improve boundaries. scientific staff participate in different WHO networks such These functions involve multi-professionals health preparedness and system strengthening. NIPH has grounded its global strategy on rights, as the WHO reference laboratory for meningococci, the clustered in interdisciplinary teams aiming to NIPH has received a grant from the Norwe- solidarity, equality and fairness. These pillars of WHO National Influenza Centre for Norway, the WHO deliver at the global level. gian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and has estab- the strategic plan for global health guide and en- national laboratories for measles, rubella and poliovirus, During the last four years, NIPH has experi- lished collaboration with four countries for the sure collaboration between countries and global WHO collaborating Center for Meningococci and Drug enced rapid growth in the Institute’s global period 2016–2020. The program has generated institutions, with particular emphasis on equity. Statistics. health activities. The new strategy of the Institute international interest and contributed to voice What makes the NIPH a strong partner in the 2. International Association of National Public envisions global health anchored in and across globally the need for a united effort for health ­Forum for Global Health Research is the unique Health Institutes (IANPHI) all departments, targeting global and national ­security and preparedness. role that the Institute plays as research institu- NIPH supports and participates in IANPHI’s network champions in partnerships. To facilitate sustain- Better capacity to prevent, detect and respond tion on the one hand and an advisory institution of 100 public health institutes throughout the world to ability of research projects, the Institute stimu- will help improve public health in every single to the ministries on the other hand. establish new sister organizations and strengthen existing lates integration of global health research and country and may contribute to reduce inequali- NIPH’s new strategic plan (2016-2020) anchors national public health institutes. IANPHI facilitates Global Health Programs. ties in health. It will also significantly promote cooperation, support and knowledge transfer between its global health strategy among its first four goals A success indicator is the range of global health health security across country borders. Public public health institutes. which NIPH will attain through international net- research projects funded in the last years, e.g.: health institutes or equivalent national functions working and cooperation with global institutions 3. Arctic Council global pharmaceutical policy; eRegistries for in the various countries play a significant role and partners in high-income to middle and low This council is a political platform of countries in the Arctic ­Maternal and Child Health; vaccine trials for in health security. NIPH will, through the GHPP, region it’s a common goal to preserve the unique environ- income countries. ­Ebola, rota virus and meningococcus; climate-­ collaborate with sister institutes in Ghana, ment and indigenous people’s livelihood as a global common Through these cooperative partnerships, a environment and health etc. ­Malawi, Moldova and Palestine to strengthen good. NIPH participates in the Arctic Human Health range of global activities is carried out, including: Expert Group. Sustainability of global health activities re- ­institutional capacity related to the IHR and quires efforts to maintain funding overtime and health preparedness. a) Exchange of Knowledge (development of 4. EEA Grants creativity to generate new and relevant research The main collaborating partners at the country NIPH works as a Donor Programme Partner ­under the EEA simple and affordable laboratory tests, capaci- questions. NIPH believes that internal synergies level include national health authorities, sister Grants with prioritized countries in Europe. The NIPH ty building through e.g. European Centre for can be created by using existing funded platforms. ­institutes, the WHO, the CDC, NGOs and IANPHI. coordinates and provides advice to national health authorities Disease Prevention and Control, knowledge and links ­institutions in these prioritized countries with A short description of a program at NIPH with Adding a research agenda to an already funded sharing and twinning with sister organizations relevant Norwegian research and academic institutions. huge potential to foster global health research is program, will not only generate new knowledge through the International Association of the Global Health Preparedness Program (GHPP) and facilitate better programming, but may also National Public Health ­Institutes - IANPHI) Financial Resources for Global health as a part of Norwegian contribution to a Global reduce costs of a research project, as infrastruc- b) Generate and disseminate knowledge The global health portfolio is primarily financed Health Security Agenda. It includes 50 countries ture for research, access to well-established net- through research projects in public health and by external sources such as the Research Council and is designed to strengthen international works, and implementation capacity will already health systems research of Norway, the EU, the Norwegian Ministry of ­efforts in prevention, detection and response to be in place through the existing program. c) Provide evidence-based advice through ­Foreign Affairs and others. events that threaten public health worldwide. 34 GLOBAL HEALTH NORWEGIAN FORUM FOR GLOBAL HEALTH RESEARCH 35

Ottar Mæstad, Chr. Michelsen Institute Chr. Michelsen Institute

Quality health care is at the core of CMI’s health research. In Tanzania, we study the implementation and impact of performance-based financing of maternal-child health services. Photo: I. Lindkvist

CHR. MICHELSEN is the largest development re- idea is that such incentives will encourage greater biomedical data (STDs, malaria, pregnancy) to search institute in Scandinavia. The institute efforts to raise the quality of care and increase have objective measures of health status and is based in the social sciences. Global health is the number of clients. sexual­ activities. one of our priority research areas. CMIs global This project studies the implementation and Partners: Femina Hip, Choice Lab (Norwegian School health research focuses on how health outcomes impact of performance-based financing of ma- of Economics), Economic and Social Research and patient well-being can be improved through ternal-child health services in Tanzania. Tanza- Foundation, Development Pioneer Consultants ­understanding and shaping the behaviour of nia is the first large low-income country to imple- health professionals and patients, and by ment such a system at scale. We will study this The second study is implemented in Zambia, strengthening health systems. We also explore process and measure how performance-based in collaboration with CISMAC partner. More how factors outside­ the health sector can ­ ­financing affects access to and use of primary than 5000 girls have been randomly selected to improve health outcomes. health services, the quality of services, produc- receive i) an economic benefit package, including tivity, and the effects on various health indica- support for school fees, ii) economic support plus The focus of our current research is: tors. The project is the first to compare short a community training program, iii) no interven- • The effect of using incentives (performance-­ term with long-term effects. Are the effect en- tion. The study aims to measure (1) the effect on based financing) to improve quality and hanced over time, or do they decline? Are any marriage and pregnancy rates of providing eco- access to health services. ­unintended effects greater or smaller in the long nomic support to girls and their families (2) • How to reduce early marriage and pregnancy. run? whether economic support combined with a • How adolescent health can be improved Partners: London School of Hygiene and Tropical community program targeting beliefs and norms through more and better education. Medicine, Ifakara Health Institute. related to education and sexual and reproductive • How to strengthen the implementation of health (SRH), can have an even stronger impact sexual and reproductive health rights. Reduce teenage childbearing through education on the same outcomes. • How to improve malaria treatment for and empowerment of adolescent girls Partners: University of Zambia, Centre for children. CMI participates in two randomized controlled ­International Health (UoB) trials (RCTs), studying how teenage childbearing CMI is partner in the Centre for Intervention can be reduced. Political determinants of sexual and Science in Maternal and Child Health (CISMAC), The first study is implemented in Tanzania. ­r­eproductive health a Centre of Excellence (SFF). This international 3500 girls of age 16-17 years were randomly se- One way in which politics and power dynamics consortium involves institutions in seven coun- lected to receive (i) reproductive health training, impact health is through the use of criminal law. tries and is anchored at the Centre for Interna- (ii) entrepreneurship training, (iii) both train- This project provides insights into the causes and tional Health at the University of Bergen. ings combined, and (iv) no training. The training effects of criminalisation of abortion and same African Muslim countries (Sudan and Tunisia). Below you can see examples of projects: modules were launched under the headings sex relations, which is widespread in low and The project will develop insights into political “Protect your life” (reproductive health training) middle income countries, and has significant game changers that can improve conditions for Performance-Based Financing in Tanzania and “Build your life” (entrepreneurship train- ­detrimental effects on mental health, maternal sexual and reproductive health. An effective de- Performance-based financing has been launched ing). Comparing (i) and (ii) allows us to test mortality; the health of women and LGBTs, and criminalisation agenda requires better insights as a strategy to increase the use and improve the whether reproductive health programs or entre- HIV transmission. into the political and social dynamics – inside the quality of health services in low- and middle-­ preneurship trainings are more effective at de- The project investigates health effects of crim- health system as well as outside – and this project income countries. Nearly 40 countries are in the laying early pregnancies, promoting safe sex and inalizing sexual and reproductive behaviour and aims to contribute to filling this gap. process of conducting experiments with this simultaneously promoting economic activities health services, and analyses the political dyna­ The projects is implemented by the Centre of funding model, especially with a view to strength- and incomes. And (iii) allows us to estimate the mics that drive, hamper and shape the uses of such Law and Social Transformation at CMI. ening health services for mothers and children. importance of the combination of reproductive criminal law in nine African countries, including Partners: University of Bergen, Harvard University, Performance-based financing implies that health information and economic opportunities. both predominantly Christian Sub Saharan North-Eastern University, World Bank, University health clinics and/or health workers receive cash In addition to self-reported data on pregnancy countries (Uganda, Malawi, Ethiopia, Kenya, of Pretoria, Makerere Univsersity, HRAPF (Uganda), in relation to how well they perform. The basic and economic outcomes, the project is collecting Mozambique, Zambia, South Africa) and North ICJ (Kenya). Norwegian Forum

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Norwegian Forum for Global Health Research

Address Centre for International Health University of Bergen Årstadveien 21 N-5009 Bergen

Secretariat Co-ordinator: Ingvild Hope [email protected]

Chair: Bente E. Moen [email protected] www.globalhealth.no

Front page photo: Boy with tub in South Africa. Photo: H.J. Hunnes

Grapich design and printing: Bodoni AS