A look back at the ACT-PREP Project Launch. 🎥 From the conversations in the room to the unveiling of a shared ambition: building Africa’s capacity to conduct research, prepare for and respond to epidemics. The journey starts here. #ACTPREP #ACTPREPLaunch #PublicHealth

What does Africa need to prepare for the next epidemic? Dr. Susan Nabadda, Commissioner for National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic Services, highlights the need to strengthen research, clinical trials, laboratories and regulatory systems before the next crisis. #ACTPREP

“Standing emergency committees and harmonised frameworks can help multi-country studies launch simultaneously across Africa.” - Dr Hellen Opolot, @UNCST_Uganda #ACTPREP #PUBLICHEALTH

At the launch of the @ACTPREPCON_ Hellen Opolot of @UNCSTUganda joined thr panel discussion on a critical question: How can we accelerate research approvals during outbreaks without compromising ethics, scientific rigor and public trust?

Partners in the ACT-PREP consortium are coming together at @Makerere to align on the road ahead and shape the strategy for the next five years. The focus: strengthening Africa’s capacity for clinical trials, research and epidemic preparedness. #ACTPREP #PublicHealth

Africa cannot afford to start from zero when the next epidemic hits. Read the story: linkedin.com/posts/act-prep_… #ACTPREP

#ACTPREPLaunch: As we launch the Advancing Clinical Trials and Epidemic Preparedness Research Capacity in Africa (ACT-PREP) today, we appreciate the consortium member countries including Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Sweden, Germany, Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The ACT-PREP project aims to strengthen capacity to conduct clinical trials in sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular focus on research during outbreaks.

Over 5 years, #ACTPREP will train more than 700 senior researchers in advanced methodologies and techniques, establish mentorship programmes & facilitate scientific exchange. It will also support 15 PhD students & 10 postdoctoral scientists, & 80 clinical trial monitors.2/3

Happening now @MakSPH Auditorium. #ACTPREP.

Happening now #ACTPREPLaunch: Prof. @RhodaWanyenze calls for African countries to invest domestic resources in research for disease preparedness and response. “We cannot continue to look for money from EDCTP or other partners alone," she said. She said, the COVID-19 response exposed a critical gap: much of the evidence guiding decisions was generated outside Africa, raising questions about its applicability to African populations and health systems. Prof. Wanyenze says Africa needs to move from building individual research capacity to strengthening institutions that can continuously generate, analyse and translate locally relevant evidence. “We need evidence in times of peace, when we are preparing for the next outbreak.” The ACT-PREP network seeks to contribute to this ambition by strengthening research and training capacity across African institutions.

@Makerere is set to build scientific capacity in epidemic preparedness through the launch of the Advancing Clinical Trials & Epidemic Preparedness (ACTPREP) programme, an initiative focused on strengthening clinical trials, research and laboratory capacity in Uganda & Africa.1/3

#ACTPREPLaunch @Makerere Prof. Bruce Kilenga, Principal of @MakerereCHS cautioned that Traditional research funding cycles are poorly suited to epidemics. "By the time calls are issued, proposals reviewed and funds released, an outbreak may already be well underway." He called for pre-positioned funding that researchers can rapidly access during emergencies. He also cautioned cautioned about the slow process of protocol approvals. "Rather than multiple institutions developing separate protocols to answer similar questions, the panel called for a consortium approach that brings together complementary expertise in clinical studies, modelling, ecological and social research."

#ACTPREPLaunch at @Makerere One of the panelists, Dr. Susan Nabadda Ndidde, the Commissioner of @cphluganda emphasised that public health laboratories must be prepared for both outbreaks and research, with strong quality systems, standard procedures and sample-tracking mechanisms in place. She also called for interconnected regional laboratory networks to facilitate cross-border sample referral, data sharing and coordinated outbreak response while respecting national sovereignty. @ACTPREPCON_

#ACTPREPLaunch: Speaking on behalf of the funding agency, Michelle Nderu, Project Officer, European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (@EDCTP3 ) Africa Office, said recent outbreaks have shown that effective responses depend on the systems, partnerships and capacities already in place before a crisis emerges. @ACTPREPCON_ seeks to strengthen surveillance, preparedness planning, evidence generation and stakeholder engagement to help Africa respond faster and more effectively to future health emergencies. The EDCTP representative urged ACT-PREP partners to learn from one another, share knowledge openly and build collaborations that extend beyond the project’s lifetime. The goal is not only stronger epidemic preparedness, but more connected and resilient health research and public health systems across Africa.

#ACTPREPLaunch: @ProfNawangwe has urged ACT-PREP partners to think about sustainability from the outset: “What will remain when the five years of funding come to an end?” He says the lasting legacy should be stronger researchers, institutions, laboratories and partnerships serving Africa for years to come. @Makerere @ACTPREPCON_ @MinofHealthUG

@DKyabayinze : “Outbreaks continue to test our systems & our response. We can no longer wait for outbreaks, we need lab systems that can respond when they occur. #ACTPREP is an investment in people & systems Africa will need when next outbreak comes to detect & respond.”

“Let us make sure that when the next outbreak comes, we are not starting from zero.” That is the message at the heart of ACT-PREP: research must not end with generating evidence. Knowledge must move into policy, strengthen health systems and ultimately improve the lives #ACTPREP

#ACTPREPLaunch Speaking at the launch of the @ACTPREPCON_ project, this morning, the Vice Chancellor @ProfNawangwe called on Africa to build capacity to respond to future epidemics before they occur. “The true measure of this project will go beyond the numbers, beyond the researchers trained and laboratories upgraded, ACT-PREP should leave stronger scientists, stronger institutions and lasting partnerships that enable Africa to anticipate, prevent and respond to future epidemics”. Through ACT-PREP, universities, public health institutions and regional partners are coming together to strengthen clinical trials, research, laboratories and the systems needed for epidemic preparedness and response.

More photos from our panel session at the @ACTPREPCON_ Launch. We thank Dr. Dewi Ismajani Puradiredja for expertly moderating the session and Dr. @MWayengera and Dr. @Hskyobe (Online) for enriching the discussion.

Pictorial from our panel session at the @ACTPREPCON_ Launch. We thank Dr. Susan Nabadda Ndidde @MinofHealthUG, Prof. Bruce Kirenga @MakerereCHS Principal, Prof. Billy Ngasala @MuhimbiliUniver and Dr. Hellen Opolot @UNCST_Uganda for great insights.