Investigación en salud en Honduras: una década de transformaciones, desafíos y fortalecimiento institucional sostenible.
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| Title: | Investigación en salud en Honduras: una década de transformaciones, desafíos y fortalecimiento institucional sostenible. |
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| Alternate Title: | Health research in Honduras: a decade of transformations, challenges, and sustainable institutional strengthening. Pesquisa em saúde em Honduras: uma década de transformações, desafios e fortalecimento institucional sustentável. |
| Authors: | Fontecha, Gustavo1 gustavo.fontecha@unah.edu.hn |
| Source: | Pan American Journal of Public Health / Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública. 2025, Vol. 49, p1-7. 7p. |
| Subjects: | MEDICAL care research, COMMUNICABLE diseases, SERIAL publications, INTERPROFESSIONAL relations, UNIVERSITIES & colleges, INVESTMENTS, LEADERSHIP, TEACHING, CERTIFICATION, INTERNATIONAL relations, PUBLISHING, ORGANIZATIONAL change, MASTERS programs (Higher education) |
| Geographic Terms: | COSTA Rica, CANADA, PANAMA, HONDURAS |
| Abstract (English): | Honduras has historically faced significant limitations to scientific development, with research spending below 0.1% of the gross domestic product and a university system focused almost exclusively on teaching. However, between 2007 and 2012, the Teasdale-Corti project (a joint undertaking of Canada and Honduras) marked a turning point by establishing the first academic master's degree in infectious and zoonotic diseases, a biomedical research laboratory, an ethics committee, and biosafety training programs. This process laid the groundwork for the creation of the Microbiology Research Institute. Over the last decade, these initiatives have trained numerous researchers, consolidated research groups in priority infectious diseases, and led to over 170 publications in indexed journals, representing about 12% of the scientific output of the National Autonomous University of Honduras. Likewise, the advent of the assistant researcher role allowed for a significant increase in academic output. Comparison with other Central American countries reveals a marked lag compared to Costa Rica and Panama, mainly explained by the low level of investment in research. Conversely, factors such as international collaboration, local leadership, and institutional integration have been decisive in sustaining progress. The Honduran experience demonstrates that, even in contexts of vulnerability, it is possible to build scientific capacities by combining a strategic vision, sustainable partnerships, and institutional commitment. Nevertheless, these achievements are still fragile and require future consolidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Abstract (Spanish): | Honduras ha enfrentado históricamente grandes limitaciones para el desarrollo científico, con una inversión en investigación inferior al 0,1% del producto interno bruto y un sistema universitario centrado casi exclusivamente en la docencia. Sin embargo, entre el 2007 y el 2012, el proyecto Teasdale-Corti (llevado a cabo en forma conjunta entre Canadá y Honduras) marcó un punto de inflexión al establecer la primera maestría académica en enfermedades infecciosas y zoonóticas, un laboratorio de investigación biomédica, un comité de ética y programas de capacitación en bioseguridad. Este proceso sentó las bases para la creación del Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología. En la última década, estas iniciativas han formado a numerosos investigadores, han consolidado grupos de investigación en enfermedades infecciosas prioritarias y han generado más de 170 publicaciones indexadas, que representan alrededor del 12% de la producción científica de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras. Asimismo, la figura del investigador auxiliar permitió un incremento significativo en la producción académica. La comparación con otros países centroamericanos revela un rezago marcado respecto de Costa Rica y Panamá, explicado principalmente por la escasa inversión en investigación. No obstante, factores como la colaboración internacional, el liderazgo local y la integración institucional han sido determinantes para sostener los avances. La experiencia hondureña demuestra que, aun en contextos de vulnerabilidad, es posible construir capacidades científicas si se combinan una visión estratégica, alianzas sostenibles y compromiso institucional. Sin embargo, los logros alcanzados aún son frágiles y requieren una consolidación futura. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Abstract (Portuguese): | Historicamente, Honduras enfrenta grandes limitações para o desenvolvimento científico, com um investimento em pesquisa inferior a 0,1% do produto interno bruto e um sistema universitário centrado quase exclusivamente no ensino. No entanto, entre 2007 e 2012, o projeto Teasdale-Corti (realizado por meio de uma parceria entre Canadá e Honduras) marcou um ponto de inflexão com a criação do primeiro mestrado acadêmico em doenças infecciosas e zoonoses, além de um laboratório de pesquisa biomédica, um comitê de ética e programas de capacitação em biossegurança. Esse processo lançou as bases para a criação do Instituto de Pesquisa em Microbiologia. Na última década, essas iniciativas formaram inúmeros pesquisadores, consolidaram grupos de pesquisa em doenças infecciosas prioritárias e geraram mais de 170 publicações indexadas, que representam cerca de 12% da produção científica da Universidade Nacional Autônoma de Honduras. Além disso, a figura do pesquisador auxiliar possibilitou um aumento significativo na produção acadêmica. A comparação com outros países da América Central revela um considerável atraso em relação à Costa Rica e ao Panamá, o que pode ser explicado principalmente pela falta de investimento em pesquisa. Apesar disso, fatores como a colaboração internacional, a liderança local e a integração institucional têm sido determinantes para manter os avanços. A experiência hondurenha demonstra que, mesmo em contextos de vulnerabilidade, é possível desenvolver capacidades científicas com uma combinação de visão estratégica, parcerias sustentáveis e compromisso institucional. No entanto, os resultados alcançados ainda são frágeis e precisam ser consolidados no futuro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | MedicLatina |
| Abstract: | Honduras has historically faced significant limitations to scientific development, with research spending below 0.1% of the gross domestic product and a university system focused almost exclusively on teaching. However, between 2007 and 2012, the Teasdale-Corti project (a joint undertaking of Canada and Honduras) marked a turning point by establishing the first academic master's degree in infectious and zoonotic diseases, a biomedical research laboratory, an ethics committee, and biosafety training programs. This process laid the groundwork for the creation of the Microbiology Research Institute. Over the last decade, these initiatives have trained numerous researchers, consolidated research groups in priority infectious diseases, and led to over 170 publications in indexed journals, representing about 12% of the scientific output of the National Autonomous University of Honduras. Likewise, the advent of the assistant researcher role allowed for a significant increase in academic output. Comparison with other Central American countries reveals a marked lag compared to Costa Rica and Panama, mainly explained by the low level of investment in research. Conversely, factors such as international collaboration, local leadership, and institutional integration have been decisive in sustaining progress. The Honduran experience demonstrates that, even in contexts of vulnerability, it is possible to build scientific capacities by combining a strategic vision, sustainable partnerships, and institutional commitment. Nevertheless, these achievements are still fragile and require future consolidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 10204989 |
| DOI: | 10.26633/RPSP.2025.119 |
