KI coordinates a new EU-funded project in East Africa

Professor Eleni Aklillu at the Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, leads a new initiative known as  BREEDIME, funded by the European Commission's Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking. 

The project aims to strengthen the regulatory framework and practices related to medicines, medical devices, diagnostics, research ethics, and clinical trials in Tanzania and Rwanda during routine and emergency health situations. 

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of resilient and efficient regulatory capacities for rapid approval and timely application of health technologies, including diagnostics and medicines. 

The challenge of National Medicines Regulatory Authorities and Research Ethics Committees in sub-Saharan Africa to cope with the health emergency during the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the project's initiation.

Karolinska Institutet plays a key role in project coordination, management, training, and capacity-building activities to achieve BREEDIME project objectives. This project can make a significant and lasting impact on healthcare preparedness and regulation in the region.

"Considering the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, me and my team are committed to contributing to the project's goal to strengthen ethics, regulatory and clinical trial oversight in Tanzania, Zanzibar, and Rwanda. In doing so, we enhance the East African Community's regulatory efficiency to ensure the quality and safety of medicines and vaccines," says Eleni Aklillu.

The BREEDIME Project was officially launched on August 4, 2023, at the Landmark Hotel in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, with 42 participants from nine consortium member institutions.