Stronger together: evidence for collaborative action on neglected tropical diseases

Area of Science:

• Tropical Medicine
• Global Health Research

Background:

• Editorial consolidating learnings from a collaborative research program.
• Focus on research conducted in Nigeria and Liberia, with insights from Ghana and Cameroon.
• Emphasis on partnership and knowledge sharing across multiple African nations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize key findings and lessons learned from the COUNTDOWN programme.
• To highlight the collaborative nature of the research, involving multiple countries and partners.
• To showcase the successful mentorship and publication support for early career researchers.

Main Methods:

• Consolidation of evidence and learnings from published articles within a supplement.
• Authorship by programme leads, researchers, decision-makers, and local implementers.
• Focus on capacity building for early career researchers in scientific writing and publication.

Main Results:

• Successful co-production of impactful research papers by a diverse group of authors.
• Enhanced capacity of early career researchers in scientific writing and evidence dissemination.
• Effective engagement of decision-makers and local implementers in the research process.

Conclusions:

• The COUNTDOWN programme fostered significant collaboration and capacity building in tropical medicine research.
• Involving diverse stakeholders, including early career researchers and local implementers, enhances research impact.
• Cross-country partnerships are crucial for advancing tropical medicine and global health.