EACCR 1
This is a summary of the project and what was achieved, including the aims and objectives, research questions being addressed, study methods, results, findings, and achievements of the project.
Introduction
Since May 2009, an expandable East African Consortium for Clinical Research (EACCR) went into action with 35 regional institutions and 7 northern partners to promote health product innovation (drugs, devices and other solutions), capacity development and networking. It addressed challenges of fragmented/uncoordinated efforts, diminishing indigenous scientists, insufficient funds, and inadequate infrastructure in Eastern Africa in partnership with the industry (both pharmaceutical and business) and policy makers. EACCR integrated scientists, health practitioners, academicians, and policy makers from the region (including Ethiopia and Sudan) and Europe. It networked actively with other research consortia and development partners in Africa and beyond.
Methods
We conducted participatory appraisal (documented/reported observations, content analysis, teleconferencing and record abstraction) between May 2009-May 2014 on EACCR’s work packages categorized into governance, training, infrastructure, research and networking. Governance was structured regionally into 4 coordinating centers: Malaria (Kenya), TB (Tanzania), HIV (Uganda) and Training (Tanzania).
Results and achievements
The Network maintained a consensus-governed and networked consortium also supporting other linked projects/activities of other funding streams and secured 2 additional reports from Kenya and Tanzania for a regional social science study. EACCR 1 also registered 2 additional MSc research fellows from Ethiopia and Tanzania; recorded 11 graduated MSc fellows; completed 4 EDCTP senior fellowships and reached at least 100 scientists through 4 short-courses in GCLP, GCP, TB laboratory techniques, clinical monitoring, and trial conduct. Five more laboratories of sister sites in Kenya, Sudan and Uganda were upgraded. EACCR contributed to 1 published peer-review article, at least 5 oral presentations at international meetings and to other several scientific presentations through other funding mechanisms. It has a regional reciprocal monitoring scheme of at least 10 experienced monitors, who have cumulatively conducted 27 site visits to 11 clinical trials and mentored at least 10 new monitors, including 2 from our new partner institution in Rwanda.
Description of the project
I. Background
EACCR is an Eastern African-led, EDCTP-enabled network established in May 2009 to contribute to: health research coordination; increased active mass of African scientists and research administrators; upgraded infrastructure; stronger networking and advocacy for conducting clinical trials or other research on HIV, Malaria, TB and other diseases of public health importance under best practices. It has 35 regional institutions from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Sudan in partnership with 7 northern partners. It coordinates & promotes health product innovation, capacity development and networking in Eastern Africa for improved health and social advancement of its population.
II. Objectives
- To strengthen regional research coordination and infrastructure for multi-centre clinical trials plus other health research
- To enable less developed sites within EACCR to improve their capacity to participate in multi-centre clinical trials through mentorship and collaboration
- To plan and support training/mentoring of promising regional scientists and administrators through both short- and long-term courses
- To contribute to improved strategic quality management of research through an affordable reciprocal monitoring scheme
- To apply an interactive website for better communication, enhanced networking, advocacy, common databases, and training
- To promote advocacy for: regionally owned research and health agenda; research use in policy and programming and resource mobilization
Results and outcomes
EACCR 1 secured 2 additional reports from Kenya and Tanzania for a regional social science study ,EACCR contributed to 1 published peer-review article and to at least 5 oral presentations at international meetings . Other network-linked scientific presentations/publications through other funding streams are not included here. Other results and outcomes are outlined in the capacity building and Networking section below.
Capacity building
We maintained a consensus-governed and networked consortium. We also registered 2 additional MSc research fellows from Ethiopia and Tanzania; recorded 11 graduated MSc fellows; completed 4 EDCTP senior fellowships and reached at least 100 scientists through 4 short-courses in GCLP, GCP, TB laboratory techniques, clinical monitoring, and trial conduct. Five more laboratories of sister sites in Kenya, Sudan and Uganda were upgraded. It has a regional reciprocal monitoring scheme of at least 10 experienced monitors, who have cumulatively conducted 27 site visits to 11 clinical trials and mentored at least 10 new monitors, including 2 from our new partner institution in Rwanda.
Networking
- Prepared a proposal to EDCTP for a joint planning meeting of stakeholders from EACCR and TESA (On-going by date of reporting)
- Submitted a research capacity building proposal to WHO/TDR (10th May 2013)
- Distributed over 400 EACCR brochures during national & international meetings (On-going by date of reporting)
- Two EACCR members gave oral presentations at the 4th annual East African Health and Science conference following successful peer-review of the submitted abstracts (annexes 7 & 8). This conference took place at Serena Hotel in Kigali, Rwanda. See report in annex 9. (26th – 29th Mar 2013)
- Worked with the East Central & Southern Africa Health Community on an EDCTP capacity needs assessment for ethics committees of selected institutions in Uganda (Feb – Mar 2013).
- EACCR Scientific Liaison Officer attended a scientific meeting in Les Diablerets, Switzerland at the invitation of the TB Vaccine Initiative (TBVI) and the consortium on TB Vaccine Trials in Europe and Africa (TB-TEA), 26th Jan – 1st Feb 2013. Refer to annex 11.
- Made Advocacy for EACCR in the Afrique one consortium meeting held in NDjamena (29th Sep – 6th Oct 2012).
- Submitted research & capacity building proposal to the Tropical Health & Education Trust, UK in partnership with University of Oxford (Sep 2012)
- Submitted a proposal for a Youth Community HIV/AIDS (YoCHA) program to funders in Netherlands in collaboration with a South African partner (Aug 2012)
- Submitted a proposal on a point-of-care diagnostic for Malaria in collaboration with a Canadian industrial partner from Alberta to Grand Challenges-Canada (Jul 2012)