EDCTP at the 11th Zambia Health Research Conference

The 11th Zambia Health Research Conference took place from 15-17 October 2024 in Lusaka, Zambia. The conference is held biennially and brings together researchers, scientists, health professionals, policymakers, and the general public. It provides a platform for disseminating research evidence, sharing best practices, innovations and knowledge aimed at improving public health and contributing to socio-economic development.

Dr Thomas Nyirenda, Strategic Partnerships & Capacity Development Manager and Head of Africa Office, EDCTP Association, gave a keynote speech on “Finance, Governance, and Leadership for Accelerating Universal Health Coverage.” In his talk, Dr Nyirenda stressed that Africa has 20% of world population, bears 25% of the global burden of diseases, and yet only 3% of health research takes place on the African continent. In order to achieve universal health coverage index beyond 70%, researchers have a role to provide evidence for policy in areas of financing for health in Africa, health governance in Africa, and health systems optimisation and implementation research as well as clinical trials in Africa.