our study process and results could help reduce the great chasm between the policy and research worlds in the MENA region. IT is hoped that funding agencies and countries will support and align financial and human resources towards addressing the research priorities and knowledge gaps that have been identified. Funding for health system research should become aligned with national and regional priorities. Innvaeret at.(2002) reported that the direct use of research evidence is greatest in the case of commissioned research to fill a knowledge gap identified by stakrholders