Strategy

The response of EDCTP to the burden of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria is direct and pragmatic: to strengthen and integrate the existing national European and African health research programmes. Furthermore, EDCTP aims to improve the research environment and infrastructure for carrying out clinical trial activities in Africa, and to promote African leadership in the conduct of clinical trials.

HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria

HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria are three of the world’s most devastating communicable diseases affecting many of the world’s poorest people. HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria are characterised as poverty-related diseases (PRDs) not only because they are endemic in impoverished populations but also because they impede economic development and cause unnecessary death and suffering to the populations affected.

Integrated projects for sustainable research

Researchers in sub-Saharan Africa are faced with the challenges of multicentre protocols, a demanding regulatory environment and universal ethical standards. With the right resources and training, sub-Saharan countries have the opportunity to take up a leadership role in trials and to create a sustainable environment for conducting high-quality medical research.

To achieve this, EDCTP offers large grants that focus on clinical trials (which is the principal function of EDCTP) as the core activity, and use networking and capacity development. EDCTP-funded activities are based therefore on the following components:

1. Supporting relevant clinical trials
2. Networking and coordination of European national research and development programmes and with their partners
3. Networking and coordination of African national programmes
4. Strengthening African capacity in this field.