LILONGWE—Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result which seems to be the behaviour of some of Malawi’s brightest minds tasked with the responsibility of solving the country’s health problems.
 
“Researchers view policy makers with suspicion. Likewise the policy makers view researchers as crazy people writing papers and ideas,” said Director of Research, Policy and Planning in the Ministry of Health Dr. Damson Kathyola on Thursday in opening remarks at a two-day Training and Capacity Building for Users of Research Knowledge at Liwonde.

“There’s a need for the two groups to dialogue and see how best research can support development of policies,” he said, underscoring the point that the two rarely interact.

When there’s mistrust and lack of interaction between the two, how does one formulate policy?

The way they treat each other doesn't stop policy formulation but policy formulated could be garbage.

Kathyola said when the two sides don't work together, policies formulated have no or little impact on the improvement of health service delivery in the country.
 
The workshop is said to be the first of its king in Malawi, according to Felix Limbani who is Knowledge Translation Coordinator for Dignitas.

Limbani said at the end of workshop they hope to have convinced researchers and policy makers the importance of working together so policies written are evidence-based and benefit the people. But first things first: Researchers and policy makers must put aside their mistrust of each other and start working as a team.
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©2012 The Maravi Post. Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgment.