Scientists’ views from South Africa and Rwanda

Ntombekhaya Tshabalala in South Africa and Derbew Fikadu in Rwanda worked together with Agnieszka Ignatowicz (University of Birmingham) and Lucia D’Ambruoso (University of Aberdeen) on a recent Equi-Injury stakeholder workshop in Rwanda. It was this south-south knowledge exchange workshop that culminated to this podcast. Here, they share their views on what they believe is the existing most common form of partnership, often one directional serving the interests of some while leaving others stagnant. They identify challenges to this partnership, including the undermining of indigenous knowledge and ignoring people's innate abilities.Despite the challenges, they acknowledge that well-intentioned partnerships exist and see the Equi-Injury project as a springboard for various stakeholders, including those whose voices are often marginalized, to introspectively examine their actions, share lessons learned, and encourage uncomfortable conversations.  When we respect, appreciate and see people as unique individuals, this opens way for equitable partnerships.Stakeholders in the Equi-Injury project are encouraged to "throw away the box". Informing equitable partnerships, everyone is invited to "watch this space."NIHR Global Health Group on Equitable Access to Quality Health Care for Injured People in Four Low or Middle Income Countries: Equi-injuryUKRI Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) supported Study title: Knowledge exchange for evidence-informed injury care