Annual report 2021: Research capacity strengthening

Overview

Research Capacity Strengthening (RCS) activities are at the heart of the UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training on Tropical Diseases (TDR) strategy 2018–2023, which aims at contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and supporting universal health coverage (UHC). Within the context of the TDR vision – The health and well-being of people burdened by infectious diseases of poverty is improved through research and innovation – the overall goal of the RCS team is to strengthen the capacity of individuals, institutions and societies to produce research evidence useful for reducing the burden of infectious diseases of poverty in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In strengthening this capacity, RCS programmes have also built research capacity and equipped health workers with transferable core competencies and skillsets which have contributed to building health system resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.