Health professionals in the Tema Metropolitan area are calling for increased investment in research capacity, highlighting critical gaps in skills, infrastructure, and institutional support that limit evidence-based healthcare.
A recent assessment by the Tema Metropolitan Health Directorate (TMHD) revealed that while some health workers participate in research, their training remains inadequate. Only 33 percent of staff involved in research had received formal instruction in data analysis and dissemination, typically lasting two weeks or less, and half lacked training in proposal development or data collection.
The report also identified systemic barriers, including insufficient funding, limited resources, heavy workloads, and delayed feedback on externally led studies. Ms. Florence Efua Koomson, Health Research Officer at TMHD, emphasized that these gaps impede the integration of research into clinical practice and hinder improvements in patient outcomes.
“Health systems with active research engagement show better adherence to clinical guidelines, higher patient satisfaction, and improved service delivery,” Ms. Koomson noted, stressing that research is essential for guiding clinical decisions, enhancing referral systems, and ensuring efficient use of limited resources.
To address these challenges, TMHD proposed a strategic plan including the creation of a metro-wide research agenda, structured in-service training programs, enhanced stakeholder collaboration, and the provision of dedicated time and micro-grants for frontline research.
Ms. Koomson highlighted that fostering a culture of inquiry among healthcare professionals could significantly improve outcomes in maternal and child health, management of non-communicable diseases, and mental health services.
