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. 2017;10(1):1272879.
doi: 10.1080/16549716.2017.1272879.

The Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI), a collaborative paradigm for institutional and human resources capacity building between high- and low- and middle-income countries: the Mozambique experience

Emília Virgínia Noormahomed  1   2   3   4 , Carla Carrilho  4   5 , Mamudo Ismail  4   5 , Sérgio Noormahomed  6 , Alcido Nguenha  6 , Constance A Benson  2 , Ana Olga Mocumbi  4   7   8 , Robert T Schooley  2
Affiliations

The Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI), a collaborative paradigm for institutional and human resources capacity building between high- and low- and middle-income countries: the Mozambique experience

Emília Virgínia Noormahomed et al. Glob Health Action. 2017.

Abstract

Background: Collaborations among researchers based in lower and middle income countries (LMICs) and high income countries (HICs) have made major discoveries related to diseases disproportionately affecting LMICs and have been vital to the development of research communities in LMICs. Such collaborations have generally been scientifically and structurally driven by HICs.

Objectives: In this report we outline a paradigm shift in collaboration, exemplified by the Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI), in which the formulation of priorities and administrative infrastructure reside in the LMIC.

Methods: This descriptive report outlines the critical features of the MEPI partnership.

Results: In the MEPI, LMIC program partners translate broad program goals and define metrics into priorities that are tailored to local conditions. Program funds flow to a LMIC-based leadership group that contracts with peers from HICs to provide technical and scientific advice and consultation in a 'reverse funds flow' model. Emphasis is also placed on strengthening administrative capacity within LMIC institutions. A rigorous monitoring and evaluation process modifies program priorities on the basis of evolving opportunities to maximize program impact.

Conclusions: Vesting LMIC partners with the responsibility for program leadership, and building administrative and fiscal capacity in LMIC institutions substantially enhances program relevance, impact and sustainability.

Keywords: Medical Education Partnership Initiative; North–South collaboration; South–South collaboration; capacity building.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
MEPI partnership main features analyzed. Note: 1MEPI: Medical Education Partnership Initiative.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Collaborations rose within MEPI. Notes: 1Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Mozambique; 2University of California San Diego, United States of America; 3Universidade Federal da Bahia, Brazil; 4Universidade Zambeze, Mozambique; 5Universidade Lurio, Mozambique; 6Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Lisbon Nova de Lisboa, Portugal; 7Instituto Fio Cruz, Brazil; 8University of Stellenbosch, South Africa; 9University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe; 10University of Botswana, Botswana; 11Munich Technic University, Germany; 12University of Granada, Spain; 13Kilimanjaro Medical Christian Center, Tanzania.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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