In 2014, the Flemish Government made 3.6 million euros available for the strengthening of healthcare in Mozambique, including 1.2 million euro for the institutional cooperation between ITM and the Instituto Nacional de Saúde (INS).

With the support of the Flemish Government, ITM continues to support the research capacity and strategic and operational management of its Mozambican partner institution INS.

A noteworthy feature of this project is that responsibility is largely borne by the INS itself, in line with its priorities and with the necessary flexibility for the use of resources. For example, budget is foreseen for internal research grants that the INS can distribute among its researchers following an internal competition.

ITM contributes with its expertise according to INS’ needs. Antwerp researchers support their colleagues in Maputo among others by teaching short courses, through inter-institutional exchange of expertise on specific topics, e.g. the functioning of the ethics committee, and on strengthening institutional research coordination.

Additionally, two Mozambican researchers are working on their doctorate in the context of the institutional partnership. They will soon be joined by a third PhD candidate. Institutional cooperation between ITM and the INS was launched in 2012. The second phase of the project supported by Flanders will run until 2017.