Story by Abigirl Tembo, Health Editor
THE Africa Clinical Research Network (ACRN) is continuing its mission to increase Africa’s participation in clinical trials and research, with Zimbabwe set to reap significant benefits from strengthened collaborations in global clinical research.
ACRN is facilitating discussions between government officials, international pharmaceutical companies and health organisations to position Zimbabwe as a hub for world-class medical trials.
This initiative is expected to bring numerous benefits to the country, including improved healthcare outcomes and increased investment in the life sciences sector.
According to ACRN Chief Executive Officer, Dr Tariro Makadzange, the organisation is working to bridge the gap in clinical research on the continent.
“At the moment, less than 2 % of trials are done on the continent. Most of those are infectious diseases like HIV, malaria, TB, but as we know we have other diseases. We have family members with high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, a whole range of disease, but as a continent, we are not contributing to developing new therapies at the level that we need to. So that is what we want to do as the Africa Clinical Research Network. We want to bring together researchers across all therapeutic areas, cardiologists, haematologists, oncologists, kidney doctors, etc and link them to opportunities to do research and trials,” Dr Makadzange said.
“We need to have a new word for this, for the vaccine, and we will see if it works. We want to work and see if they give the outcome that we expect them to give, and then we hope that by doing that, we build the science and life sciences industry in Africa. So if you look back 20 to 30 years ago, China was exactly the same as we were, but it was a combination of government will, researchers, ecosystem building that has enabled them not only to do these trials, but to start to develop medicines and therapies.
“That is what we want to do here. We are starting today, but we recognise it is a long journey and hope in 20, 30 years’ time, we will be having a different conversation. We will be making drugs here on the continent. We will be developing new cancer therapies, we will be tailoring them to the local populations and the local population needs. But this is a good place for us to start by building clinical trials,” she said.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Chief Director for Curative Services, Dr Maxwell Hove, the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora reaffirmed government‘s commitment to supporting clinical research, recognising its vital role in advancing medical knowledge and treatment options.
“As a Ministry, we are open to transparent and productive engagements with all stakeholders. We understand that clinical trials are vital for the advancement of medical knowledge and treatment options, and we are here to listen and understand what you are offering to us in this regard.
“We recognise that clinical research benefits us all. While you, our esteemed partners, seek to diversify trial populations and develop more effective treatments, Zimbabwe also stands to gain in the process. This includes but not limited to the expertise and infrastructure needed to support long-term medical innovation. Our Government is interested in transforming Zimbabwe into a centre of excellence for clinical research. This includes creating a sustainable life sciences industry that can fuel economic growth while enhancing healthcare outcomes for all Zimbabweans,” Dr Maxwell Hove said.
The network aims to bridge the gap in clinical research, focusing on a broad range of diseases, including non-communicable diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer and kidney complications.
By linking researchers across various therapeutic areas with sponsor partners, ACRN hopes to facilitate a deeper understanding of how medicines work in African populations