AHRI has conducted one day (10 January 2019) meeting on Clinical Research Network (CRN) initiative with local collaborating higher institutions. Delegates from 11 Higher Institutions (Addis Ababa University, Haramaya University, University of Gondar, Jimma University, Hawassa University, Mekele University, Arsi University, Debre Markos University, Debre Berhan University, Arba Minch University and St. Paul Millinum Medical College) and AHRI staff participated in the meeting.
The meeting was opened by Dr. Abebe Genetu, Director General of the AHRI. In his opening remark, the Director General, pointed out the relevance of the Clinical Research Network (CRN) initiative (funded by the Ministry of Health) in addressing health problems through conducting appropriate researches. Furthermore, he indicated that the network will play a significant role in strengthening human resource capacity in clinical researches so as to improve the quality of health care and for translation of research outcomes into practices. Therefore, AHRI is working earnestly to expanding the existing CRN with five local Universities.
During the meeting, different presentations were also made including amongst others:
- Innovative way of research collaboration, by Dr. Alemseged Abdissa, Deputy Director General for Research and Innovation, AHRI.
- Inception of CRN initiative: its objectives, scope, current status and future plan (Dr. Rawleigh Howe and Dr. Adane Mihret)
- Lessons learned from previous CRN initiative and challenges (Dr. Tesfaye Kassa, Jimma University)
Moreover, Drs. Alemseged Abdissa and Berhanu Seyoum chaired general discussions on CRN initiative and the need of MOU from all parties taking the form of plenary sessions. Finally, the participants made their general reflections and comments on the presentations and the discussion sessions. In conclusion, Dr. Alemseged Abdissa, acknowledged all the delegates who came from the Universities to take part in the meeting and their willingness and commitment to work with AHRI. He also mentioned that the network will play a pivotal role in contributing towards to further strengtheningof the research collaboration amongst the Universities in the network so as to conduct clinical researches that can improve the quality of health care.
