Sustaining capacity in health policy and systems research in Thailand.

Strengthening research capacity in developing countries is aimed at generating and translating knowledge into policy decisions to improve health systems and increase equitable access to health services in the population.1 The International Health Policy Program (IHPP) in Thailand has strengthened health policy and systems research capacity in the Ministry of Public Health since 1998 and has sustained its capacity for a decade. This paper analyses and illustrates the experience of building and sustaining capacity in health policy and systems research in Thailand to provide lessons for developing countries. We found that international and national collaboration were important in strengthening research capacity but that migration of well-trained health professionals impeded sustainable capacity development.2 While individual training was an entry point in capacity building, challenges remain on how to enhance the research environment to sustain the individual’s capacity and interest so as to maximize their contribution.3