Day 2: 15:50 – 16:05
Physician-Scientists and Clinical Trial Professionals
Ahmed Hassan Fahal, MBBS, FRCS, FRCSI, FRCS(G), MD,MS, FRCP (London),FRCPath.

Short CV

(Director, Mycetoma Research Center, Universityof Khartoum, Soudan)

Dr. Fahal trained in medicine at the University of Khartoum, Sudan. He then pursued his post-graduate
surgical training in Khartoum and London, leading to a consultant surgeon position at Soba University
Hospital and a professor of Surgery, University of Khartoum, Sudan.
Prof. Fahal is the founding Director of the Mycetoma Research Centre (MRC), University of Khartoum.
He is a high volume researcher in mycetoma, has published and presented extensively his original researchin mycetoma has become a world reference. He published more than 230 peer-reviewed articles and edited
a book on mycetoma and many textbooks' chapters, booklets and clinical guidelines in a number of themesin surgery, mycetoma and medical education.
One of his major achievements, he in collaboration with the Ministry of Health in Sudan and otherorganizations, has managed to include Mycetoma as Neglected Tropical Disease at the WHO/NTD list in
2016; Resolution no. 69:21. He is currently a Member of the WHO/NTD Diagnostic Technical Advisory
Group (DTAG), Skin NTDs subgroup, Geneva.
He is currently the President of the Scientific Research and Innovation Agency,Ministry of Higher
Education & Scientific Research, Sudan and advisor for the Minister of Higher Education andScientific research, the Republic of Sudan.Prof. Fahal is the founding Director of the Mycetoma
Research Centre(MRC)
He has served as the Director of Educational Development Centre for Medical & Health Professionals,
University of Khartoum. He was the Founding Director of the Self Evaluation and Quality Enhancement
Administration, University of Khartoum, and the University of Khartoum Academic Secretary.
He is currently the President of the Scientific Research and Innovation Agency, Ministry of Higher
Education & Scientific Research, Sudan and advisor for the Minister of Higher Education and Scientificresearch, the Republic of Sudan.

Abstract
Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are low-resources countries that are highly vulnerable to economic andenvironmental problems. They face many challenges, including weak economic growth leading to sharp
increases in poverty, lack of productive capacity, absence of diversification of exports and highcommodity dependence, high vulnerability to environmental shocks and the potential loss of preferential
market access. All these issues should be addressed to improve the life quality of the population in thesecountries and scientific research offers many innovative tools to facilitate solving these problems.
LDC's struggle to provide health care and access to quality health care and that is a fundamental humanright. Yet more than half the world's population can't obtain the essential health care. Most communicablediseases, particularly the neglected tropical diseases, are endemic in these countries and these countries
lack preparedness for pandemics and medical and health crises.
Preparedness includes good health infrastructure and systems, trained human resources and proper
funding. Investments in health and, more generally, in people are critical to building human capital andenabling sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
Hence, it is essential to develop a robust clinical research infrastructure, human resources and to invest inscience substructure across the LDCs.
It is reported that 15% of the world population resides in the African continent and it is the home to 25%of the global disease burden. Yet, only 1.1% of global investment in health research and development isspent in Africa. This imbalance increased the 'brain drain' of Africa's talented scientists, who simply
moved to more developed countries to exercise their skills in research environments with better funding
and more modern equipment.
To promote scientific excellence, there is an urgent need to invest in clinical research personnel
development and foster the research culture among them. All medical and health institutions need todevelop curricula with imbeded research activities at an earlier stage and develop various continuing
professional development events to enrich research culture and support young researchers and supporting
staff.
Many international research networks dedicated to epidemics have proven useful in marshalling forces toconduct important research in LDCs and support the COVID response. This is an excellent example offostering research capabilities in LDCs. All these solutions need good funding, thus, governments, NGOs,research institutions, communities, industries and other stakeholders must allocate adequate funds topromote good research and science