The African Advisory Committee for Research and Development (AACHRD)

The AACHRD is a multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral body established in 1979, to provide advice to the Regional Director on matters of health research policies and development strategies.

Traditionally, the Committee draws its membership from among members of WHO regional experts panel and national professionals. Members of the Committee, consisting of 12-15 experts, are appointed in their personal capacities at the Regional Director's invitation, and not as representatives of their respective governments. However, the latter's prior approval of the appointments of the experts should be obtained. The Committee usually meets annually to deliberate issues related to its mandate.

The Terms of Reference of the Committee are to:

• Examine and evaluate health research and development strategies within the context of national, regional and international socio-economic development and provide necessary advice, suggestions and/or recommendation.
• Act as a scientific advisory committee on critical research issues and, through this, serve as a primary level to examine and assess the relevance of new technologies and tools before adoption for use in the region.
• Propose to the Regional Director a response to cutting-edge issues directed to him by collaborating partners (including the WHO Collaborating Centres), researchers and research institutions in the region.
• Bring new research priorities to the attention of the Regional Director, as well as provide a long term vision of WHO research interests.
• Play an intelligence role in the latest scientific and technological advances relevant to human development, so as to provide strategic advice to the RD, based on informed view on critical research issues of relevance to WHO.
• Advise the Regional Director on the harmonisation of research activities in the African region with activities of other regions and WHO/HQ and, through this, provide guidance and advice on health research policies, strategies and activities.
• Deal with any other issues related to health research and development that may be referred to it either by the Regional Director or initiated by itself (AACHRD), and to this effect commission external reviews of thematic areas of research
• Perform an advocacy role for regional health research agenda.