Comment on the Bamako meeting continues to come in. Robert Walgate, writing in the BMJ, says that ‘Developing countries should have a greater say in local research agendas’.

The article includes positive comment from participants in the meeting. However, Robert Walgate notes that there was disappointment that the important issue of intellectual property was barely mentioned.

The article is not open access but those with a subscription to the BMJ may see it here.

A Lancet editorial (1) has commented on the Bamako meeting and the Call for Action. The journal was a partner in the meeting and has now published a number of articles refering to it.

The editorial takes a very positive view of the meeting saying that delegates dealt with the issues with concern, comiitment and creativity. It takes the view that substantial advances have been made on the previous meeting in Mexico and concludes that Bamako was, ‘an example of what can be achieved through patient and persistent engagement. 2009 must be the year when the promises of Bamako are acted upon.’

Reference
1. Editorial. The Bamako call to action: research for health. The Lancet, Volume 372, Issue 9653, Page 1855, 29 November 2008. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(08)61789-4

The BMJ blog is often worth a look. The journal’s Editor-in-Chief, Fiona Godlee, has used it to give a personal view of the Bamako meeting, which she attended. It may be accessed here.

Fiona Godlee seems sceptical about aspects of the meeting. She describes the Call to Action as being ‘better than some had feared’. However, her own fear is that at the next meeting, in four years time, delagates will be having the same conversations.