NACCAP – the Netherlands-African partnership for capacity development and clinical interventions against poverty-related diseases
A new national programme contributing to the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP)
NACCAP aims to combine excellent scientific research with sustained investments in the R&D capacity in Africa as part of a long-term strategy to fight the diseases of poverty. This new partnership is funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS), as part of the Action Programme for Sustainable Development. NACCAP is managed by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO).
Poverty-related diseases and poverty
Globally, HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis annually account for over 5 Million deaths, predominantly in low-income, developing countries. Because of their severe impact on society and socio-economical development in developing countries combating these so-called ‘poverty-related’ diseases has been given high priority in the major international public bodies (e.g. WHO, United Nations, European Union), as well as in private organisations (e.g. Gates Foundation). It is thereby recognised that both the decreasing the number of infections and reducing the impact of the disease on patients will have a direct and strong positive influence on poverty alleviation in Africa.
EDCTP
In 2003 the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) has been established to accelerate the development of new clinical interventions against HIV/Aids, malaria and tuberculosis in a European – African partnership focussing on African needs and priorities. The EDCTP Joint Programme aims at a coordinated and more effective joint approach, building on the ongoing and planned national R&D activities funded by the participating member states. Moreover, EDCTP strives towards partnership with the pharmaceutical industry and relevant international bodies in the field.
NACCAP - a new national programme
Recognising the need for a long-term strategy to fight poverty-related diseases as a prerequisite for sustainable development in Africa, the development of new clinical interventions against poverty-related diseases has been identified as a priority in the Action Programme for Sustainable Development (´Duurzame Daadkracht´) launched by the Netherlands government in November 2002.
The Netherlands-African partnership for capacity development and clinical interventions against poverty-related diseases (NACCAP) was developed as a (new) national programme contributing to the EDCTP. NACCAP aims at long-term investment in R&D activities in Africa and, thereby, strengthening the capacity of African R&D centres. As a result, the position of African R&D centres in the EDCTP will be strengthened.
Objectives
The general objective is to strengthen the African R&D capacity in the field of poverty-related diseases by investing in joint research activities and clinical testing in Africa at locally owned R&D centres.
NACCAP thus combines the regular NWO focus on scientific excellence, competitive funding and involvement of the scientific community with capacity development to fight poverty-related diseases.
Focus
To achieve its general objectives, NACCAP will work with clear focus on some aspects:
- Geographically: sub-Saharan Africa;
- Disease fields: no a priori focus within three diseases, but a detailed strategy tuned towards EDCTP strategy;
- New strategies: working towards locally effective and affordable products, answering to local needs;
- Partnerships: building on successful existing African – EU partnerships, involvement of partners from other European countries, cooperation with industry is encouraged;
- African centres: must be locally owned and embedded in health system.
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