25 October 2018 – The term “University” strikes one as a purely degree-based academic institute for higher education and research. In the Islamic Republic of Iran, medical universities have a unique role as laboratory, engine and responsible driver of an integrated system for health services and medical education, combining service and systems innovations with production of the next generation health workforces and with the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of public sector health service delivery, including its management and governance functions.
Kerman University of Medical Sciences and its leadership are a particularly good example of pushing these responsibilities and functions to new frontiers translating evidence and knowledge into action not only for Kerman Province, but as a leading innovator in a number of areas such as future studies for many other medical universities in the country and as thinktank for the Ministry of Health and Medical Education.
Professor Dr Ali Akbar Haghdoost, former Chancellor of Kerman University of Medical Sciences and now Deputy Minister for Coordination and Strategic Planing, at the Ministry of Health and Medical Education says, "The integration of science and service in the medical universities would improve the accountability of our academy if we employ the generated authority accordingly. Right now, there are great illustrations around the country and our story in Kerman is one of these examples".
Together with support from the WHO country office and in collaboration with Dr Karl Blanchet from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the KUMS has now documented its approach and lessons learnt in a brochure which makes very interesting reading for all who are creatively involved in evidence-based and continuous improvement of health systems and health services delivery, from primary to tertiary level, from health promotion to treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care.
