The TropIKA.net team did a quick and informal round of the technical experts attending the Ministerial Conference on Research for Health in the African Region to gather their impressions on the last day of the meeting.

It had been interesting to hear delegates in a sense use the conference to channel their requests to their own governments and ministers. Clearly, there is scope for improving direct channels of communication within ministries. Repeatedly, they had called upon their ministers to commit themselves to the Algiers Declaration. Noting that previous declarations and resolutions had tended to remain on paper only, they expressed the hope that the ministers embark on implementation as soon as they return to their countries.

Asked whether their expectations have been met, some expressed cautious agreement. Yet others who preferred to speak to TropIKA.net anonymously were frustrated, worried that the conference might stop at rhetoric and statement of principles. Curiously though, some of the delegates who requested anonymity during the interview spoke out openly in the plenary. ‘You know that whatever is published will be read by everyone,” said one. Spoken words on the other hand, he added, are seldom recorded and quickly forgotten. “Though I am entitled to my personal views, I don’t want to be seen as a government critic,’ said another delegate.

Here are some of the comments we collected:

We need the political will to do all this. At the end of the day, it’s our own people who will benefit. People are dying of avoidable diseases because we don’t have the knowledge and are not doing the research. Now we African countries are exchanging ideas and are supporting each other, which will be good for Africa.
Professor Sule, Nigerian Ambassador to Algeria.

I came here to gather some data which would help me in preparation for the Bamako Conference. I can say that some of my expectations have been met, as I have met some of the key individuals I wanted to talk to. The conference has brought together researchers from different backgrounds, a fact that I deeply appreciate. However, some of my expectations have not been met, given that I expected to hear more on research for health as opposed to health research. The discussions have been too general. Besides, the issues discussed here have also been the subject of discussion at previous conferences. There was not much new really. I would have preferred to network and share new ideas with fellow researchers.
John Arido, Kenya.

My expectation was that at the end of this conference, ministers would commit themselves to the Declaration which they are going to sign today. Therefore, I cannot say that my expectations have been met until the ministers go back to their countries and begin implementing the resolutions reached. I hope they will follow up in earnest and act upon their commitments.
Ali Gubio, Nigeria.

Anonymous comments:

‘Since we are going to Bamako, my expectation was that more issues would be discussed in depth. I think we are used to talking too much and doing very little. I am disappointed. I hope I’m wrong but won’t be surprised if the Declaration to be signed today just remains on paper’.

‘I fear the Declaration will be left to gather dust on the shelves but I don’t want to be quoted on this, especially now that the minister is around’, said a delegate who has been active during plenary discussions.

‘A most noble endeavour! Most of the processes and arrangements have gone on well, as I anticipated; however, I am a bit disappointed with some of the discussions. I am not too sure whether some of the critical discussion points were not lost during the translation process.’

‘Well, since my minister is here, I have got to be careful about what I say, in order not to stray too far from official viewpoints’.

‘The expectations of donor agencies also have to be taken into consideration in the debate’.

‘There seem to be relatively fewer younger people in this conference, presumably because it is supposed to be a “ministerial conference”; however, I wonder if the ordinary (and young) people out there in our countries identify with the opinions and recommendations being made in their name. What about including some representatives who do not necessarily represent the “official” viewpoint(s)’?

Of course I like “TropIKA.net” and what it is doing! I am impressed by the team’s “quiet visibility”.

‘I only wish that the recommendations being made will be pursued further’.

‘I am surprised by the number of people who took the trouble to make the journey here for this meeting. It is good to know that there are a lot of people who are passionate about the knowledge gap in our countries and are committed to making a contribution- albeit only “discussions” so far. I am also impressed by the number of the many already existing initiatives that are working towards ameliorating some of the issues being discussed at this very forum’.

‘Today, the Algiers Declaration was signed. The onus is now on the ministers attending this meeting to use their considerable powers and influence to steer the implementation of this Declaration and prove the skeptics wrong. They have the unique opportunity to make this Declaration come live’.