The Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation) and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) have announced a new strategic partnership aimed at enhancing global health research and improving health outcomes across Africa. The collaboration focuses on strengthening clinical trial capacity, advancing pandemic preparedness, and fostering biologics research and development on the continent.
This partnership arrives at a critical juncture, as Africa's healthcare infrastructure needs greater capacity to respond to emerging health challenges. With recent advancements in clinical trials and pandemic response underscoring the need for action, the alliance between the SFA Foundation and LSTM aims to leverage the expertise of both institutions to support innovative health research and bolster the resilience of African health systems.
A key component of the partnership is the expansion of Africa's clinical trial capacity, particularly in early-phase trials. LSTM’s Global Health Trials Unit (GHTU) will play a pivotal role in improving the design, execution, and publication of clinical research. At the same time, workforce development programs will aim to address gaps in healthcare infrastructure by training more clinical trial professionals.
Pandemic preparedness is another primary focus of the collaboration, with efforts to develop new surveillance tools and methodologies to better monitor priority diseases that lack adequate tracking. By working alongside pan-African stakeholders, the partnership will enhance Africa's readiness to respond to future health crises by establishing early response sites and comprehensive preparedness plans.
The collaboration will also support specific programs like the Sub-Saharan African Consortium for the Advancement of Innovative Research and Care in Sepsis (STAIRS) and the Clinical Trials Community Africa Network (CTCAN), facilitating staff exchanges, shared resources, and joint research initiatives to maximize impact on healthcare systems across the continent.
Dr Evelyn Gitau, Chief Scientific Officer at the SFA Foundation, highlighted the importance of this partnership, saying, "Our collaboration with LSTM is crucial for transforming the landscape of global health in Africa. Together, we can create a robust clinical trial ecosystem that not only accelerates the development of new treatments but also equips African nations to respond swiftly to future health emergencies."
Dr Becky Jones-Phillips, Head of Enterprise and Innovation at LSTM, echoed these sentiments: "This partnership is a significant step toward addressing critical gaps in clinical trial capacity and pandemic preparedness in Africa. By pooling our expertise, we can build sustainable frameworks for health innovation that empower local researchers and healthcare systems."
This partnership aligns with broader efforts by organizations like the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), which focus on vaccine manufacturing and clinical trial readiness across the continent. With the ongoing risk of emerging infectious diseases, the collaboration between the SFA Foundation and LSTM is poised to strengthen Africa's health resilience and preparedness for future challenges.
Article by Nyokabi Wanjiku
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