1
4th Annual Zambia-Canada Health Research Partnership
Meeting Summary and 2015 Action Plan
from
Zam-Can team Meeting Part 2
8 December 2014, Dean’s Office, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia1
Meeting Objectives
1. To summarize the history and objectives of the “Zam-Can team”
 Vic, Fastone, Clara, Selestine, Stephanie and others provided historical context
related to the early and recent work of the Zam-Can team.
2. To present some highlights of the work of current research partnership projects. \
 All meeting members shared their backgrounds and links to current Zam-Can work
as the foundation for a discussion of synergies and opportunities.
3. To consider the current Zambia context for conducting partnership-based health research
 The group affirmed that the ultimate aim is to improve and health and well-being
of Zambians, and that our work is to consider how research can contribute to this
aim. Further, the group exchanged knowledge about the current state of the
Zambian National Health Research Authority in particular, and its importance to
health research in the country.
4. To discuss ideas about how the Zambia-Canada partnership can continue to be useful to
individuals, projects, Zambian institutions and the Zambian health research “system”.
 The group reaffirmed the philosophy of the Zam-Can team (and the Coalition more
broadly) of harmonization and collaboration, with an emphasis on change at the
systems level. Further, the group identified a range of practical actions that have
been coalesced into the 2015 action plan presented below.
2015 Action Plan
Priority #1: To support the healthy evolution of the National Health Research Authority
 Vic to continue seeking engagement with Minister of health Joe Kasonde [Note: Vic
met with Joe on 11 December. Progress on the NHRAZ is slow, but not stopped. Joe
has selected the NHRAZ board members. This list will then be ratified by cabinet—
once the current political situation is sorted out. The board would then select an
Executive Director, after which things would likely move along more briskly. Joe is
very keen for the Zam-Can team to continue its interest in the NHRAZ, and hopefully
provide some kind of support in the future.]
 Clarify the relationship of the research project co-led by Pascalina, Lydia and Sandy
Campbell the NHRAZ, and ensure that wider Zam-Can team members are both kept
in the loop and called on for support as needed
1
Part 1 was convened on November 3rd, 2014 at the Zambia High Commission in Ottawa, Canada.
2
 Revisit previously developed policy briefs (HRH, mental health, tobacco, other?) and
(2) consider lessons learned from previous efforts to disseminate and (b) develop
opportunity to disseminate to MOH and Ministry of Community Dev’t and Maternal
Health to build capacity as well as partners
 Clarify Pascalina’s role as it relates to the NHRAZ, and explore opportunities for
providing support and capacity-building
Priority #2: To develop the next generation of health research leaders
 Zam-Can Team members with research projects to proactively seek students to
participate as junior members of the research team. In Zambia, this may include
proactive outreach
 Pilot a ‘manuscript club’ involving Canadian and Zambian students and other junior
scholars who are interested in developing capacity in this area and relationships
within the Zam-Can team
 Promote open communication within the Zam-Can team for any members (but
especially junior colleagues) seeking support for research-relate questions (e.g., how
to write a conference abstract)
Priority #3: To identify opportunities for cross-learning across Zam-Can team members’
programmes of research
 To be piloted by the following 3 programmes:
o Health human resources (co-led by Fastone, Gail, Selestine)
o Disability and rehabilitation (co-led by Stephanie Nixon, Ginny Bond and
Esther Nkandu)
o Western Province maternal and child health evidence translation (co-led by
Andrew, Vic and Jessica Barker) [Note: this “programme” is still in the
conception stage.]
Zam-Can team member schedule for 2015:
Zambians to Canada:
- Anyone expected at October global health conference in Ottawa?
- Other?
Canadians to Zambia:
- Stephanie Nixon in Lusaka mid-January and September
- Cathy Cameron in Lusaka in May
- Other?
3
Meeting participants
ZAMBIANS
Fastone Goma
Selestine Nzala
Anitha Menon
Dean, UNZA School of Medicine
Associate Dean, UNZA, SOM
Dep’t of Psychology, SOM
Provincial Medical Director, Western
Andrew Silumesii
Province
Medical Officer of Health, Lusaka
Clara Mbwili-Muleya
City
Chilweza Muzongwe (Chichi) Planner, Dev’t Cooperation,
Ministry of Community Dev’t, Mother & Child
Nellisiwe Chizuni (Lulu)
MPH student, UNZA, SOM
CANADIANS
Vic Neufeld
Stephanie Nixon
Scott Robertson
Lynne Lohfeld
Catherine Yang
Sinthuha Sivananth
Kumar Gupta
Chris Thomas
CCGHR Special Advisor
University of Toronto, International
Centre for Disability and
Rehabilitation
Social Worker, Social justice
advocate
Researcher, McMaster University
McMaster University, 4th year BHSc
student, global health specialization
McMaster University, 4th year BHSc
student, global health specialization
Head of Office, Canadian High
Commission in Zambia
Pro Vice-Chancellor Research,
University of Aberystwyth, Wales
e-mail
gomafm@yahoo.co.uk
selestinenzala@yahoo.com
anithamenon316@gmail.com
asilumesii@gmail.com
cmbwili@hotmail.com
chilwezam@outlook.com
luyandochizuni@gmail.com
vrneufeld@gmail.com
stephanie.nixon@utoronto.ca
envisionza@yahoo.com
lynne.lohfeld@gmail.com
CATHERINE.YANG@learnlink.mcmaster.ca
SINTHULA.SIVANANTH@learnlink.mcmaster.ca
Kumar.Gupta@international.gc.ca
cjt@aber.ac.uk
4