Media statement

The MRC has been reappointed as Africa host for the European Developing Countries Clinical Trial Partnership (EDCTP) Secretariat

The European Developing Countries Clinical Trial Partnership (EDCTP) has reappointed the South African Medical Research Council (MRC) as its host organization in Africa for the next five years (2010 – 2015). The MRC has hosted the EDCTP Africa Secretariat since 2004.

“We are delighted with the announcement to have the MRC being reappointed as it is a measure of the MRC’s international standing as a health research and administration leader in Africa,” said Dr Niresh Bhagwandin, Executive Manager, Strategic Research Initiatives at the MRC and EDCTP project leader.

He explains that hosting the EDCTP consists in providing a base for EDCTP operations within Africa, i.e. offices and infrastructure.

“In the broader sense, hosting the EDCTP associates the MRC closely with major clinical research funding and training resources and with an extensive networking capability, especially within Africa. It provides an opportunity to strengthen the MRC’s growing international profile as a competent research and administrative partner in major international initiatives. It enables the MRC to expand upon its existing relationship with the European Commission’s health research administration,” he said.

For more information contact: Dr Niresh Bhagwandin on 021-938 0207