Ex-post Evaluation

1. Outline of the Project

Country:

Indonesia

Project title:

The Project for Construction of the Tropical Disease Center of Airlangga University, Surabaya

Issue/Sector:

Health and medicine, Education

Cooperation Scheme:

Grant Aid

Division in Charge:

Grant Aid Management Department

Total Cost:

856 million yen

Period of Cooperation

(E/N) FY 1996

Partner Country’s Implementing Organization:

Airlangga University

Supporting Organization in Japan:

Related Cooperation:

1-1 Background of the Project

The government of Indonesia had implemented a variety of measures to improve medical services, but significant results had not been observed. Tropical diseases are the primary cause of death in Indonesia, and the development of preventative and therapeutic techniques are becoming an urgent issue. The national Airlangga University plays a significant role as Indonesia’s primary institution for tropical disease research, and has received cooperation through ODA such as equipment donation and dispatch of individual experts’ team. Under the circumstances, Airlangga University planned to establish the Tropical Disease Center (TDC) to apply the University’s research results to clinical focuses such as diagnosis and treatment of tropical disease patients and to spread preventative methods. To implement this plan, the government of Indonesia requested the government of Japan for Grant Aid to build the facilities and to purchase related equipment.

1-2 Project Overview
To apply the research results to clinical areas such as diagnosis and treatment of tropical disease patients and to spread preventative methods, the Tropical Disease Center (TDC) was established in National Airlangga University, and the necessary equipment was procured.

(1) Overall Goal
The research of tropical diseases in Indonesia is strengthened.

(2) Project Purpose
An environment to conduct research and training concerning tropical diseases is developed.

(3) Outputs
1) TDC facilities are constructed.
2) Necessary medical equipment and materials for research and training in TDC are provided.

(4) Inputs

Japanese Side: 856 million yen

2. Evaluation Team

Members of Evaluation Team

Planning of survey: JICA Indonesia Office
PT.MITRAPACIFIC CONSULINDO INTERNATIONAL

Period of Evaluation

January 19, 2003 – March 10, 2003

Type of Evaluation:

Ex-post Evaluation by Overseas Office

3. Results of Evaluation

3-1 Summary of Evaluation Results

(1) Impact
TDC is a research institution attached to Airlangga University, and its operating system is under the direct control of the president of the University. TDC has an advisory committee between the chief of TDC, and has a function of conducting operation or activities, but originally an independent organization.

TDC has been conducting its activities in other fields with laboratory equipment and technology applying tropical disease research. Upon the request of the government in East Java, TDC studied the diseases of trypanosomiasis and nematodosis in cattle, while the Indonesian Tree Crops Association asked TDC to conduct DNA screening for sugar canes in order to produce a superior variety of sugar canes. In addition, TDC participated to strengthening activities in identifying victims by screening DNA in the Bali terrorist bombing. Through these activities, the human genetics research team of TDC is widely known as a forensic research group.

In Airlangga University, TCD researchers implement a master’s program in the field of tropical diseases. The personnel of TDC were deployed from the faculties of Airlangga University. The University received support from the Akademi Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia (AIPA) as the only master’s program with equipments that meets international standards.

TDC holds the design to play a role as the main research institute in the area of tropical diseases in Southeast Asia, and has set to create inter-organization network on tropical diseases with governmental organizations, private groups and international organizations through the support from JICA.

(2) Sustainability
The utilization rate of equipments is high and sometimes the researchers must wait to use them. Some equipment is inoperative and no longer used. This could be due to the lack in technique and experience in repair, and the difficulty in independently securing the budget for procurement of spare parts. In terms of organization, TDC is growing steadily while the original 68 employees have expanded to 92, and the three research groups have increased to ten groups currently. Researchers with strong academic backgrounds have increased, with 23 researchers with doctoral degrees and 18 with master’s degrees. However, most employees are employed part-time at Airlangga University.

Financially, TDC does not have independent revenue, and its primary source of funds is subsidy from the government and international organizations. Researchers and research groups submit budget proposals to these institutions to receive research funds. Currently, TDC charges equipment users a rental fee and has also opened its own diagnostic center, charging consumers for this service. In addition, when it needs large sums of money, TDC strives to secure the budget on management and maintenance applying for financial assistance provided by Airlangga University.

The knowledge disseminating activities to the community have still not progressed as planned; the reasons being that the community does not have a good understanding of TDC’s activities.

On the other hand, as for applied research in the field of tropical diseases, 130 applied research projects have been implemented over the past eight years, therefore appears to have progressed smoothly.

3-2 Factors that promoted realization of effects

(1) Factors Concerning the Planning
N/A

(2) Factors Concerning the Implementation Process
For TDC’s development and improvement in its capacity, it is necessary to receive strong support from Airlangga University.

3-3 Factors that Impeded Realization of Effects

(1) Factors Concerning the Planning N/A

(2) Factors Concerning the Implementation Process 1) Some employees (particularly the researchers) at TDC will retire within a few years. However, Airlangga University has a "zero growth” policy and prohibits new hires.

2) TDC dose not have independent income, and most of its funding comes from the government or international organizations. Accordingly, its activities are restricted, as evidenced by fewer training courses and participants than planned.

3-4 Conclusion

TDC’s reputation as an important tropical disease center is gradually growing in Southeast Asia, and it is expanding its activities outside the field of tropical diseases. TDC uses the equipment very actively, and the project played a big part in improving TDC’s capacity, such as improving researchers’ skills and expanding its field of activities. However, some equipment still remain inoperable, and in some projects, the activities show slow progress due to the insufficient funds.

3-5 Recommendations

(1) To use the equipment effectively and continuously, training is required in equipment operation and maintenance, as well as regular inspections by government technicians.

(2) For the further development of TDC, it is required to secure more researchers, particularly those employed full-time. In terms of the staff hired from Airlangga University, the working field at the University and TDC should be divided clearly, and the employee should be able to decide whether to become a researcher or instructor in their respective facilities.

(3) TDC should find a new budget source or generate stable revenue by starting innovative activities with Airlangga University since the present budget is restricting TDC’s activities. Meanwhile, the current diagnosis center must be supported and each study group must develop activities in order to increase the revenue.

3-6 Lessons Learned

N/A

3-7 Follow-up Situation

N/A