UCT hosts inaugural SA Global Health Trials meeting

The inaugural meeting of the South African Global Health Trials initiative was recently hosted by UCT's Department of Medicine.

Global Health Trials is a web-based facility designed as a way for clinical researchers across the world to network and collaborate. It provides guidance, tools, resources, training and professional development to those conducting clinical research in resource-limited settings.

The aim is to be a neutral democratic and open access space for people to obtain information about trial conduct.

The meeting is the first of its kind in South Africa. Key topics raised included how to sustain experienced clinical research teams, and ensure quality clinical research, in non-commercial research institutions in South Africa.

A number of volunteer members are from UCT staff, such as Elizabeth Allen, an investigator in the Division of Clinical Pharmacology's Malaria Clinical Research Group. She said, "Feedback from attendees has been very positive. Global Health Trials is a comprehensive web-based resource, but coming together face-to-face to discuss specific challenges should also be of great benefit, particularly to non-commercial researchers who can sometimes feel quite isolated."

For more information go to the Global Health Trials website.