Economics and Implementation Research Group (EIRG) MAEMOD
Led by Assoc Prof Yoel Lubell, the Economics and Implementation Research Group’s main remit is to explore the cost-effectiveness of diagnostics, treatments and vaccines for infectious diseases. The multidisciplinary group reflects the nature of its broad focus, going beyond clinical efficacy to encompass how interventions can achieve high impact in routine care environments, considering contextual barriers to their implementation.
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2019 MORU. Photographer: Gerhard Jørén
A key area of research in recent years has been the evaluation and implementation of diagnostic and prognostic tools to help guide the management of febrile illness in Southeast Asia. EIRG members lead on multi-site projects across the region to identify relevant biomarkers of bacterial infection and severity of illness, using the findings to develop and evaluate point of care tests applicable for use in relatively unskilled community healthcare workers in remote areas.
In addition, EIRG oversees the management of the Wellcome/MORU Institutional Translational Partnership Award (iTPA), facilitating the funding and progression of translational research projects in MORU.
EIRG is also establishing a sub-group of health economists dedicated to supporting Thailand’s Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program (HITAP), which guides local and international policy makers on the cost-effectiveness of interventions under consideration for inclusion in Universal Health Coverage programmes.