After a successful training seminar during the kick-off, the SUPPORT project has launched its first month of online training for a cohort of 13 young African researchers, marking a vital step in improving health outcomes for children living with HIV.
Funded by the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP3) and coordinated by the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), the SUPPORT project is building a new generation of African experts equipped to lead research that addresses the persistent challenge of paediatric HIV, particularly the high rates of post-discharge mortality.
This May, the fellows are beginning with foundational courses covering: The research question, Children and Clinical Research, and An introduction to clinical research. These sessions are designed to strengthen their understanding of ethical and effective research practices with children. All participants have already completed Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training, laying the groundwork for high-quality, ethical research.
Children living with HIV face unique and complex health needs, especially after being discharged from hospital care. Post-discharge mortality remains alarmingly high due to limited follow-up, treatment challenges, and underlying infections. SUPPORT directly tackles this issue by training early-career and mid-career researchers to investigate these gaps through clinical, social science, and data-driven approaches.
The fellows will each lead an individual research project that builds on existing studies like EMPIRICAL and UNIVERSAL. Many have already submitted ethics applications and received approval, with recruitment planning now underway. Screening and site preparation are also in progress, bringing these important studies closer to implementation. This momentum is a promising sign of the potential impact these fellows will have on child health in their regions.
“Through the SUPPORT training, the PhD students will answer diverse questions that directly impact child survival through understanding the causes of post discharge mortality, they will be able to recommend sustainable evidence-based solutions and sure that children receive the necessary care even after leaving the hospital” says Professor Hilda Mujuru, “this project will equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to make a significant impact in improving child health outcomes.”
By investing in local leadership and clinical research capacity, SUPPORT is creating a ripple effect, advancing paediatric healthcare, reducing child mortality, and laying the foundation for sustainable, African-led research into the future.
