TDR Annual Report 2020

Overview

In this report, we highlight many positive stories that have emerged in the background of the global crisis. In particular, we have found that our long-term investments in strengthening health research capacity in low- and middle-income countries have helped build resilience to respond to crises such as the current pandemic.

A survey we conducted in June found that the skills acquired through three TDR research training programmes have allowed hundreds of scientists to contribute to both research and frontline efforts tackling COVID-19. This ability to transfer the skills learnt in the training programmes is critical to sustaining resilient health research systems. The survey results demonstrate the value of investing in people, and in research training, ahead of emergencies. We now have the right people in the right place at the right time.

While the pandemic has presented challenges to the research activities TDR is supporting, they have largely been able to move forward thanks to creative solutions and flexibility to overcome those challenges. Such persistence has helped mitigate the impact of the pandemic on efforts to tackle tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases.