NACCAP/EDCTP Parallel Session ‘Capacity Strengthening'

11 October 2011, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

During the sixth EDCTP Forum from 9 – 12 October in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a cross-cutting parallel session on capacity strengthening was organized by NACCAP and EDCTP. The overarching aim of the session was to focus on best practices and lessons learned regarding capacity strengthening since the launch of NACCAP in 2004. This full-day session was moderated by Dr Garry Aslanyan (WHO/TDR) and was, with approximately eighty participants, well attended. There was a high level of interaction, with active participation from both participants and audience. 

Morning Session: NACCAP Programmes

The morning session was dedicated to the four partnership programmes that were funded by NACCAP: APRIORI, INTERACT, CoMMAL and ART-A. Each programme was briefly introduced by one representative. Subsequently, the representatives of the programmes interviewed each other, discussing key NACCAP principles. Questions ranged from inquiries about the equality of the partnerships to sustainability of the capacity strengthening efforts.

For instance, CoMMAL was asked which factors would enable further rollout of the Research Support Centre (RSC) model to other countries and universities. The CoMMAL team indicated that the most important factor could be local ownership: appreciation and full support of the College of Medicine (CoM) of the University of Malawi was of major importance in the success of setting up the RSC at the CoM. At the moment, RSCs are already being set up in Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The programmes were asked what actions they had taken to secure future core funding. All representatives indicated they had acted on the important issue of sustainability. For example, APRIORI established a post-doc resource unit for writing grant applications and both INTERACT and CoMMAL trained Clinical Research Assistants (CRAs), whose fees now contribute to the sustainability of their institutions. Furthermore, the RSC in Malawi monitors and collects overhead funds associated with research projects (which are due to the university), thus generating core funding for the university and the RSC. 

The response panel, consisting of Dr Opokua Ofori – Anyinam (GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals and NACCAP Programme Committee member) and Prof. Tumani Corrah (MRC Laboratories, The Gambia), expressed their appreciation of the results achieved. The panel inquired after collaborations in which one of the partners starts from a ‘weaker’ position. The general response was that ‘weak’ is not a suitable word, as it does not give a sense for the mutually beneficial and learning situation that characterizes these partnerships. INTERACT strongly endorsed this statement, based on their experience in collaborating with Rwandan and Ugandan partners. When asked about Intellectual Property Rights, ART-A explained that they had participated in a consortium studying intellectual property protection in Africa, resulting in a book on this topic.

Prof. Hannah Akuffo (Swedish SIDA, chair of EDCTP General Assembly and chair of ESSENCE) presented ESSENCE (Enhancing Support for Strengthening the Effectiveness of National Capacity Efforts): a collaboration between funding agencies aimed at enhancing synergy and harmonization in health research capacity strengthening. She highlighted ESSENCEs’ efforts to develop a Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for research capacity strengthening.

Afternoon Session: Networks of Excellence

The four leaders of the EDCTP Networks of excellence (NoEs) CANTAM (Central African Network on TB, HIV/AIDS and malaria), EACCR (East Africa consortium for Clinical Research), WANETAM (West African Network of Excellence for TB, AIDS and Malaria, and TESA (Trials of Excellence for Southern Africa) introduced their networks. They then reflected on issues of fair partnership, knowledge sharing, challenges and successes. EACCR and WANETAM brought forward the importance of openness of the networks, as well as recognition of the fact that the building of partnerships takes time. Monitoring is a difficult issue in the case of the NoEs. To try and solve this, EACCR have employed outsiders in their governance structure in order for a more objective view on the progress made.

Later that afternoon, the response panel was strengthened with Dr John Gyapong (Ghana Health Service) and commented on sustainability issues, as well as on methods to monitor progress. Most of the networks had already been working on obtaining funds to continue their work after EDCTP/NACCAP funding would finish. Dr Gyapong commented that although there had been much talk about successes in this session, it is also important to document challenges in order to build and grow.

Reflections

Dr Andrew Kitua (former leader of the Malaria Research Unit at TDR) reflected on the NACCAP session. He acknowledged similarities between NACCAP and EDCTP, both having capacity building at the core of their activities. Dr Kitua concluded that building a partnership takes time and depends on transparency, discussions and dialogue between partners. Concerning another key issue, sustainability, Dr Kitua stressed the importance of sustainability at both a regional as well as a national level. 

The session concluded with the presentation of the booklet ‘NACCAP 2004–2011: Lessons Learned’ to Dr Charles Mgone (Executive Director of EDCTP) by Eva Rijkers (NACCAP). The day ended with some brief remarks by Dr Pascoal Mocumbi (Haut Répresentant of EDCTP and member of the NACCAP Steering Committee). He indicated that the lessons learned that were discussed today, and those highlighted in the NACCAP booklet, could provide all present with useful tools for future collaborations.