Research in hospitals: inserting the missing link

In another 210 days, we will cross the threshold to a new age of the 21st century and the third millennium. This is the time for reminiscing with nostalgia, looking back to where we have been. This is the time for stocktaking, candidly and objectively assessing where we are now. This is the time, at the gateway of a new century, for looking forward with bold vision to where we hope to be in the next millennium. In this paper, the author will seek to present reasons why hospitals in developing countries should play a more active role in research, why all hospitals, from the smallest first referral hospitals to the largest, tertiary specialist hospitals, should intensify their research activities and how to expand and intensify hospital based research. The central role of hospitals in health development is clear and indisputable. Hospitals are universally appreciated but society will not continue to accept uncritically all hospital activities and the attendant costs.