Health research priority setting in developing countries of the eastern Mediterranean region: partnering with the Cochrane Collaboration.

Healthcare research in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) is fragmented and often weak. A coordinated approach is required to strengthen and focus efforts. Given the low resource base, priority-setting is an essential component. Healthcare policy and programmes in the EMR should be underpinned by reliable evidence of "what works for whom and why", with special attention to the health needs of the disadvantaged. Collaboration with international health research organizations, such as The Cochrane Collaboration, is essential and would provide an opportunity to examine evidence, prioritize knowledge areas, and identify research gaps.