Surgical hospital services

Tender description

Working in partnership across countries, disciplines and sectors is vital to understand international development challenges and develop solutions. The University has been awarded funding for a Global Surgery Unit by the NIHR (National Institute for Health Research) to set up trials in low/middle income countries (LMIC). The programme has been designed in collaboration with LMIC researchers, institutions and other stakeholders. The funding has to be routed through a UK institution and the Director employed by that institution. The structure, balance, and funding amounts to be disbursed to LMICs is at the discretion of the Director in agreement with the NIHR, but it is expected that a significant proportion of the funding will go to LMICs. The award has been given to create contracts in Hubs in LMIC to develop a sustainable infrastructure and provide a platform for frontline clinicians to undertake trials. The hubs will contract out to smaller hospitals. The programme has been designed in collaboration with Low/Middle Income Country (LMICs) researchers, institutions and other relevant stakeholders. However, the funding has to be routed through a UK institution and the Director has to be employed by that UK-based institution. The structure, balance, and funding amounts to be disbursed to LMICs is at the discretion of the Director in agreement with NIHR, but it is expected that a significant proportion of the funding will be disbursed to LMICs. The Unit will coordinate a range of qualitative, cohort study, and randomised controlled trial (RCT)- research, e.g. RCT focusing on surgical site infections. The award has been given to create Hubs in LMICs who may contract out to smaller hospitals. There will be contracts agreed between the University of Birmingham and Hubs. Partners have been invited to get involved so far in South Africa, Namibia, Rwanda, Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi, Zambia, Philippines, Pakistan, India, Mexico, Peru, and Guatemala. Funding has been secured for 6 694 000 GBP, of which 3 325 000 GBP is for LMICs. The Unit is in the process of seeking additional funds for future trials in the partner countries. The University is seeking to develop this network into a sustainable platform to deliver research through prioritisation and evidence gathering for a global impact on surgical practice. Initially the funding is estimated to expire in March 2021, subject to current timelines, budget, trial take-up and availability of resources. Contracts will be agreed and signed with the Hubs who will subsequently set up agreements with smaller centres as Spokes. There may also be the requirement to set up contractual agreements with individual smaller centres in certain countries for specific trials. Hubs will be tertiary hospitals that have the infrastructure and professional staff required to deliver the trial. Once all of the contracts are approved and signed, funds will be transferred to the Hubs and smaller centres as milestone payments to support the running of the trial in the different areas.