Transformation of World Health Organization's management practice and workforce to fit the priorities of African countries.

Introduction: The WHO Regional Office for Africa developed an evidence-based tool, called the Dalberg tool to guide the functional review and restructuring of the workforce and management of the country offices to better fit the health priorities of Member States.

Methods: The Dalberg tool was used in conjunction with a series of consultations and dialogues to review twenty-two countries have undergone the functional review. Results: the "core functions" in WHO country offices (WCOs) were identified.

National health research system in Malawi: dead, moribund, tepid or flourishing?

Background: Several instruments at both the global and regional levels to which countries in the WHO African Region are party call for action by governments to strengthen national health research systems (NHRS). This paper debates the extent to which Malawi has fulfilled this commitment.

Discussion: Some research literature has characterized African research - and by implication NHRS - as moribund.