15–20 June 2025 | Kigali, Rwanda
The World Patients Alliance (WPA) participated in the 12th EDCTP Forum, hosted by the Ministry of Health of Rwanda and the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), and co-organised by Global Health EDCTP3 and the EDCTP Association. The Forum convened global health stakeholders, including researchers, policymakers, funders, and community advocates, to strengthen collaboration in clinical research across Africa and Europe.
WPA was represented by Regina Kamoga, who actively contributed to the EDCTP3 Stakeholder Group discussions. She emphasized the critical importance of integrating patient, family, and community perspectives throughout the research lifecycle, advocating for meaningful and non-tokenistic engagement approaches.
Key discussions during the Forum focused on strengthening clinical trial ecosystems, improving research ethics and regulatory frameworks, increasing investment in research and development, and responding to the challenges of declining foreign aid. Participants also highlighted the importance of equitable partnerships, local capacity building, and African-led research initiatives.
A major highlight of the Forum was the “Meet the Expert” session on Community Engagement in Research, led by Regina Kamoga. The session underscored the need to move beyond tokenistic involvement toward genuine, trust-based partnerships with communities. Participants shared experiences and expressed a strong commitment to adopting structured, inclusive, and sustainable engagement strategies, particularly at the early stages of research design. The central message was clear: communities must be recognized as equal partners in shaping ethical and impactful research.
The Forum also provided valuable opportunities to strengthen partnerships and expand WPA’s regional presence. Strategic engagements with organizations such as the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST), Aviro Health, the East African Mental Health Network, and the Medical Research Council Gambia explored pathways for collaboration in advancing people-centered research. These interactions reflected a shared commitment to integrating patient perspectives, scaling innovation, and strengthening research systems across Africa.
A key outcome of WPA’s participation was the invitation for Regina Kamoga to serve on the Advisory and Planning Committee of the 12th Annual National Research Ethics Conference (ANREC) in Uganda, scheduled for November 2025. This role presents an important opportunity to further advance equity, inclusivity, and meaningful community engagement in national research processes.
Overall, the Forum reinforced the growing recognition that patient and community engagement is essential to ethical, relevant, and impactful research. WPA’s participation reaffirmed its commitment to promoting inclusive, patient-centered research and to building partnerships that improve health outcomes across the region.