EACCR4 is a regional network of 23 partners from 13 countries, working to strengthen clinical research capacity and support research on poverty-related diseases, epidemics and outbreaks across Eastern Africa.

The consortium brings together leading research institutions, national public health institutes and emerging research centres to strengthen clinical and laboratory capacity, ethics and training, epidemic preparedness and research support. A particular focus is on building capacity for rapid clinical research during outbreaks, including through acute febrile illness surveillance and training and mentorship for the next generation of research leaders. By sharing expertise, resources and infrastructure, EACCR4 aims to increase high-quality clinical research that informs policy, addresses regional health priorities and contributes to achieving health for all.

The One Health Disease Control Group leads WPs 14 and 15, which focus on strengthening epidemic research, surveillance and response capacity across the EACCR network by enhancing expertise in clinical trials and laboratory diagnostics for epidemic-prone diseases.

Through these work packages, we will integrate the existing mobile laboratory capacities of National Public Health Laboratories (NPHLs) across EAC Partner States into the EACCR clinical trials platform, while extending this capacity to Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This will be supported through strengthened laboratory quality systems, enhanced mobile diagnostic capabilities, and the development of policy and framework documents to enable rapid and coordinated epidemic research and clinical trials.

Partners:Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) (coordinator)

Funder: EDCTP, link to CORDIS:https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101248989