Transforming the Health Research Workforce in Mozambique: Achievements of the Mozambique Institute for Health Education and Research (MIHER) over a 13‑Year Journey.

Abstract

Background: African research capacity is challenged by insufficient infrastructure to solicit and manage grants from local and international funding agencies. Objective: The manuscript provides an overview and discusses lessons learned about the pioneering role of the Mozambique Institute for Health Education and Research (MIHER) as the first research support center (RSC) in supporting the management of research grants in Mozambique, emphasizing its impact on research capacity development. Methods: Using mixed methods, data were comprehensively collected to identify MIHER's primary achievements from 2010 to 2023. The activities took place in four public universities, five training institutions for healthcare workers, and 40 public healthcare units in Mozambique. Findings: MIHER had partnership contracts with over 35 external institutions, and supported the design and implementation of one doctoral program and five masters' degree programs at three public universities. Over 70% of the 128 MSc and three Ph.D. degree recipients have gone on to become lecturers at Mozambique's public universities or are working in Mozambique's public health system. Over 9,000 lecturers and healthcare workers participated in MIHER's 261 research capacity development workshops. MIHER assisted in writing and implementing 98 research grants, amassing $29,923,197 in extramural support. Of 170 publications generated, 89% were indexed in PubMed. African researchers served as first or last author in 55% and 34% of these publications, respectively; Mozambicans were first and last authors in 44% and 23% of the articles, respectively. Two research laboratories were rehabilitated. Investments in information and communication technology also fostered training and mentorship. Conclusions: MIHER has emerged as a leading RSC of Excellence, fostering synergies and promoting a quality research culture in Mozambique, fueled in part, by its ability to identify and incorporate key collaborations. MIHER is a successful example of an RSC that can make the difference in resource‑limited settings to enable research resource mobilization, evidence-based health care delivery and policy design.