Credit: Samuel Akumatey
Ho, Oct. 30, GNA – Recently instituted research conference of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) is receiving increasing patronage as it enters its second year.
What began as an annual research dissemination event in 2019 has become a recognised gathering of research scientists from across the country.
The maiden research conference was held in 2023, and stakeholders have expressed content with the success of this year’s event.
The conference, this year, is on the theme, “Transforming Health Systems to Achieve Universal Health Coverage in Africa,” and a total 224 submissions were made for abstracts, about twice the number at the previous event, and among them are 14 from other countries including Switzerland, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Togo.
Professor Lydia Aziato, the Vice Chancellor of the University opened the conference on Tuesday and was full of commendation for the UHAS Institute of Health Research and various actors that held up the programme.
She revealed efforts to seal collaboration with various research centers across the country and urged all faculty to find interest in the initiative.
“The plan is to work actively in all the research centers,” Prof. Aziato said, revealing progress from formal agreements.
The Vice Chancellor spoke also of efforts to secure more international collaboration to enhance the research sector, and she used the moment to invite multinationals to join the University community, saying there were lots of prospects for collaboration and growth.
She again commended the growing outlook for the research conference, and hoped the culture and tourism appeal of the Volta Region would complement the experience.
The Vice Chancellor particularly commended Professor Margaret Gyapong, immediate past Director of the Institute of Health Research, for her dedication.
Prof. Gyapong had retired this year but remained active in the organisation of the conference.
“Ayekoo for the hard work, and history will always remember you,” Prof Aziato said, expressing joy over the quality and the engagements, and also the increasing number of supports for the event.
Prof. Gyapong, in a brief overview, said a total of 106 presentations and 114 posters made it through to the conference and that only four of the abstracts were rejected, showing the “excellent” standard of submission.
She reported successful pre-conference and plenary sessions, and said a book of abstracts had been completed and was available for review.
The conference was sponsored by a host of local and international organisations including two which are owned by members of the University community.
Prof Gyapong acknowledged the management of the University, and also the international panel of reviewers and assessors.
Focus areas for research at this year’s conference include non-communicable diseases, neglected tropical diseases, health policy and implementation research, and also malaria research and infectious diseases.
Stakeholders are also looking to focus on areas of reproductive and mental health research.
Professor Dorothy Yeboah Manu, Director of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, delivered the keynote address on the theme, and called for a research-based surveillance system as a crucial requirement for the transformation of the health system.
GNA