Warwick granted millions to improve healthcare in poor countries

The University of Warwick has been granted £7 million by the National Institute for Health Research towards improving healthcare in some of the world’s poorest countries.

Warwick, alongside with the University of Birmingham and the University of Edinburgh, will be using the grant to form a research unit that will focus on ameliorating healthcare and surgical research in deprived areas.

The research unit, which will be based at the University of Birmingham, will over a four-year period establish research hubs in disadvantaged parts of the world. Initially, these will be located in southern, central and western Africa, as well as South Asia, Central and South America.

The project will have a particular focus on improving the healthcare in slums, which are increasing alongside the population of disadvantaged countries.

Richard Lilford, Professor of Public Health and Pro-Dean at Warwick Medical School, is leading the research into slum health care. He commented: “Even if slum residents live close to health services, they can have difficulty getting needed care.”

The UK will continue to be at the forefront of health knowledge, and it is only right that we support developing nations.
Lord O’Shaughnessy

“There are many reasons for this. It can be because city authorities do not have the will or the resources to meet the needs of those living in the slums. It can also be because people living in slums can’t afford the cost of health care, or the time off work to seek care.””

“The result is that many people living in slums go to low quality or unqualified clinics, or to various places – such as clinics run by charities to tackle specific issues e.g. HIV – but without joined-up care. This has negative consequences for both individual and population health.”

Government Health Minister Lord O’Shaughnessy added: “This funding allows our universities to strengthen their research and expertise as a leader in Global Health Research.

“The UK will continue to be at the forefront of health knowledge, and it is only right that we support developing nations as they improve care for patients and public.”