Medical researchers from the Middle East and North Africa are convening in Cairo from December 5-7 to focus on "Implementation Science." This field aims to integrate evidence from biomedical and healthcare research into public health practice and policy, with the goal of enhancing public health by closing the gap between ideal health practices and everyday realities.
The Implementation Science program is backed by several organizations, including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. National Cancer Institute, the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, and the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office.
Ambassador Stephen Beecroft emphasized that "sharing a deep understanding of scientific research principles and applying them to healthcare will benefit the Egyptian people."
The Cairo meeting marks the conclusion of a four-month capacity-building initiative aimed at equipping researchers with skills to better assess public health needs such as cancer control and non-communicable disease prevention. Participants are also being trained to craft more robust science proposals for future funding opportunities like USAID's PEER program, which has already awarded USD 50 million to over 200 research projects by scientists in developing countries.