Health Research Annual Report 1988

SUMMARY
\nThe second year of operation of the Health Research Board has
\nbeen characterised by a period of consolidation combined with
\nsome further rationalisation. At the beginning of the year the
\nBoard decided to engage in an execise to review its research
\nactivities and to establish research and funding priorities for the
\nfuture. As part of this process a wide consultation took place
\nwith the research community and research users and the feedback
\nreceived from both individuals and groups proved
\nextremely valuable to the Board in planning its future
\nprogrammes.
\nAlthough the funds available to the Board remain severely
\nlimited it did prove possible to develop some new research
\nactivity through its various grant schemes. A total of 46 new
\nhigh quality research projects were initiated and funding support
\nfor a further 43 on-going research projects was renewed. The
\nsupport of high quality bio-medical and health research projects
\nis the primary means by which the Board contributes to
\nmaintaining a medical and health research capability in Ireland.
\nIn addition through the mechanism of its Summer Student grant
\nscheme 35 medical students were afforded an opportunity of
\nbecoming familiar with research techniques and of developing
\nan interest in medical research. The Board's Science Degree
\nScholarship scheme enabled three of our ablest students to
\ncomplete honours science degrees by availing of an intercalated
\nyear in their medical courses.
\nDuring the course of the year three of the Research Units
\nsupported by the Board were the subject of a mid-term review of
\nprogress. The Units concerned were Affective Disorders, Female
\nFertility and Rheumatoid Arthritis. The three specialist Review
\nCommittees which examined these Units reported that
\nsatisfactory progress had been achieved towards meeting the
\noriginal objectives set for the Units. Participation was also
\ncontinued in the extensive U.S. funded joint study of
\nSchizophrenia which is being conducted by the Health Research
\nBoard, Virginia Commonwealth University and the Western
\nHealth Board. The first report of the Travellers Health Status
\nStudy "Census of Travelling People, November 1986" was
\npublished in 1988.
\nDespite these achievements the problems of scientific
\nopportunities lost for lack of funds continues to beset the Board.
\nThe Board is unable to meet all of the high quality demands for
\nstudentships. training fellowships and project grants. To
\nguarantee the continuing viability of a number of the existing
\nschemes an increased investment is needed. In addition there are
\nmany opportunities to introduce new schemes of support and
\nfund new developments, which must be taken if Ireland is not to
\nfall seriously behind its fellow Member States.
\nOn the International front the Board participated in a new EC
\ninitiative pertaining to a Human Genome Mapping Project which was developed as part of the European Commission's Predictive
\nMedicine Programme. Two members of staff of the Board won
\nEC research contracts relating to ( 1 ) the development of a drug
\nreporting system for Dublin with the aid of matching funds from
\nthe Department of Health and (2) a Third World collaborative
\nresearch project aimed at reducing the high mortality rate for
\nchildren caused by Dengue Virus. Board members and staff
\ncontinue to play an active part in the relevant Committees of the
\nEuropean Community, the European Science Foundation, the
\nEuropean Medical Research Councils, The World Health
\nOrganisation and the Council of Europe.
\nIn October 1988 Dr. Vivian O'Gorman took up appointment as
\nChief Executive to the Board and Mr. John O'Gorman was
\nappointed as Secretary to the Board The Board's first Annual
\nReport was presented to the Minister for Health at a Press
\nConference held in December 1988. The continuing contribution
\nof those members who served on the Special Committees and
\nWorking Groups of the Board in 1988 is gratefully
\nacknowledged.

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