The Herald  (Harare, Zimbabwe)

April 21, 2007

THE Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr David Parirenyatwa, yesterday met representatives of the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership who agreed to help fund Zimbabwe's health research.

Former Mozambican Health Minister Dr Pascoal Mocumbi, who is also the EDCTP High Representative, is leading the delegation.
Africa 2007

The EDCTP -- an agency comprising 14 European Union countries, Switzerland, Norway and several African countries -- focuses mainly in research and clinical trials on HIV and Aids, malaria and tuberculosis.

"They have looked at our systems and they are prepared to give us money to conduct research and clinical trials as well as capacity building.

"They have also agreed to sponsor some of our traditional medicine research efforts and they have said there is 400 million euros put aside for sub-Saharan Africa. The money would be distributed through open competition from involved countries and we will be submitting our application," Dr Parirenyatwa said.

The minister said there was need for properclinical trials in the use of traditional medicines and the contributions by the EDCTP would go a long way in enhancing the country's efforts in the development of traditional medicines.

"We have worked hard in terms of research, particularly in terms of HIV and Aids, TB, malaria and traditional medicines. Traditional medicine is an area we would like to emphasise.

"We need proper clinical trials for traditional medicines. I think it is an area we would like you to consider for us. We need properly researched health policies," he said.

Dr Parirenyatwa said research in HIV and Aids, malaria and TB was welcome in Zimbabwe since Aids and malaria remained the major killer diseases despite significant strides made to combat them. He also said there was need for the strengthening of ethics in research through the support of regulatory authorities.

Dr Parirenyatwa said the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe and the Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe were the two regulatory bodies for health research in the country.

"Ethics are paramount in health research and we also need the strengthening of regulatory authorities," he said.

Speaking during the same meeting, Dr Mocumbi said his delegation was impressed with what it had seen in Zimbabwe.

"We are here to share our vision, priorities and needs as well as to learn. The environment for clinical research and trials is well established in Zimbabwe.

"I would just say we have been impressed by the commitment Zimbabwe has shown in the area of health research," he said.

He said collaboration in health research was paramount in the reduction and fight against diseases and countries should always benefit from research they participate in.

Dr Mocumbi said the organisation would also consider looking into other diseases affecting Africa, apart from HIV and Aids, malaria and TB.

"There is a possibility of identifying other diseases in the next phase," he said.

The Herald (Harare)
http://www.herald.co.zw/