On 27 November 2020, the network of seven universities participating in TDR’s organized a panel discussion on the “Importance of implementation research for post-COVID response in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).” Perspectives from seven countries of the Global South were shared on the impact of COVID-19 on their health systems, key implementation challenges in controlling the pandemic and the possible opportunities for young implementation research practitioners to contribute to the effort.
“In recent weeks, four COVID-19 vaccines have reported efficacy of at least 90%. This is all very encouraging news, but as implementation researchers, we know there are still many issues waiting to be worked out if we expect these vaccines to help us end the pandemic,” says Professor Yodi Mahendradhata, Vice Dean for Research and Development at Universitas Gadjah Mada in Indonesia. “No matter how great the technology is, there will be implementation challenges, which are often understated.”
Moderated by Professor Mahendradhata, the panel discussion thus featured discussion around the need for COVID-19-related implementation research, including the following topics relevant to the seven countries’ respective COVID-19 situations:
Colombia
Dr Gloria Sanchez, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Antioquia
- Needs, barriers and facilitators for contact tracing implementation in different settings in Colombia
- Vaccine acceptability, uptake, and cost
- Behavioural and social factors affecting efficacy of non-pharmaceutical interventions (i.e. masks, social distancing)
South Africa
Dr Juliana Kagura, Senior Lecturer, School of Public Health, University of Witwatersrand
- Monitoring fidelity of implementation of WHO guidelines around COVID-19 response
- Implementation outcomes from interventions (e.g. social distancing, hand-washing, self-isolation in high-density populations)
- Organizational readiness of health facilities
Zambia
Professor Charles Michelo, Department of Public Health, University of Zambia
- Ethical considerations around allocation of COVID-19 treatment options, as well as priority-setting amid need to address malaria, non-communicable diseases, and maternal and child health
- Understanding the COVID-related supply chain dynamics
- Understanding financial and economic impact of COVID-19 testing
Ghana
Dr Emmanuel Asampong, Senior Lecturer, School of Public Health, University of Ghana
- Limiting spread of COVID-19 in Ghana: Compliance audit of selected transportation stations in the Greater Accra region
- Acceptability of COVID-19 vaccines given past resistance to Ebola vaccine trials
- Feasibility of COVID-19 vaccine delivery
Lebanon
Dr Nada Melhem, Associate Professor, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, American University of Beirut
- Implementation of public health measures: compliance and complacency
- Health communication strategies and behavioural change
- Reaching the unreachable: refugees, elderly, PLHIV and others
- Effective approaches to enhance implementation of best practices for prevention and care
- COVID-19 vaccination vs readiness, acceptance and identification of barriers and facilitators
Bangladesh
Dr Yameen Mazumder, Senior Project Advisor and Program Specialist, James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University
- Effectiveness of social and behaviour change communication in enforcing lockdowns
- Feasibility of COVID-19 vaccine delivery, especially to older populations
TDR’s Postgraduate Training Scheme provides a full scholarship in collaboration with the seven universities in low- and middle-income countries. Since 2015, 258 master’s students have been trained to conduct implementation research with a focus on malaria, TB and neglected tropical diseases.
In response to a survey conducted during the early stage of the pandemic in March 2020, many alumni of the Postgraduate Training Scheme reported applying their skills gained from this training in different aspects of their engagement in the pandemic response effort. TDR is encouraging current and upcoming master’s students to consider conducting implementation research related to the COVID-19 pandemic (including vaccine implementation) for their thesis.
“Above all, we need to understand what the COVID-19 pandemic has done to the most vulnerable and marginalized populations,” said Dr Mazumder. “At the end of the day, remember for whom we are doing this research.”
For more information on TDR’s Postgraduate Training Scheme, please contact Dr Mahnaz Vahedi.