Supporting research leadership in Africa
Authors: Simon Kay
Journal: The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology (2016)

I read your Editorial published in The Lancet Global Health (May, 2016)1Davies J Mullan Z Research capacity in Africa—will the sun rise again?.Lancet Glob Health. 2016; 4: e287Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (16) Google Scholar and The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology2Davies J Mullan Z Research capacity in Africa—will the sun rise again?.Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2016; 4: 375Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (9) Google Scholar with some surprise. It is unfortunate that you neglected to mention that the Wellcome Trust has recently greatly increased its commitment to building research capacity in Africa. In 2014, we reviewed our funding in Africa with the intention of expanding our support. Since then we have launched DELTAS Africa, in partnership with the UK's Department for International Development (DFID).3The Wellcome TrustLeading African scientists to drive continent's research agenda.http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/News/Media-office/Press-releases/2015/WTP059728.htmDate: Sept 10, 2015Google Scholar DELTAS Africa is a £60 million scheme over 5 years through which we will fund 11 consortia and expect to train up to 2000 African researchers.4The Wellcome TrustResearch boost creates more opportunities for African scientists.http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/News/Media-office/Press-releases/2016/WTP060319.htmDate: April 20, 2016Google Scholar This activity is in addition to our major programmes in Kenya, Malawi, and South Africa, the Human Hereditary and Health (H3A Africa) programme, and Global Health Trials, which together total more than £230 million of current investment. At the same time, with our partners at the UK Department for International Development and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, we are establishing and investing in the Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa (AESA), the first and only pan-African funding platform whose sole aim is to strengthen research capacity. With the establishment of AESA, we signal a real shift in the centre of gravity of leadership and eventually funding of African science to Africa. Competition from excellent programmes led by African researchers continues to grow, and while inevitably this means that some will not be successfully funded, it is a sure sign of a flourishing research environment. I am the Head of International Operations and Partnerships at Wellcome Trust. I declare no other competing interests. Research capacity in Africa—will the sun rise again?Africa has a problem. It has the greatest burden of disease and lowest density of health-care professionals in the world. This we know. We also know that although infectious diseases and maternal, child, and neonatal health are improving, the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has been steadily increasing in the past few decades. We know that the health-care successes in Africa have largely been driven by donor aid, providing vertical solutions to specific problems; however, NCDs require complex care and strong health systems. Full-Text PDF Open AccessResearch capacity in Africa—will the sun rise again?Africa has a problem. It has the greatest burden of disease and lowest density of health-care professionals in the world. This we know. We also know that although infectious diseases and maternal, child, and neonatal health are improving, the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has been steadily increasing in the past few decades. We know that the health-care successes in Africa have largely been driven by donor aid, providing vertical solutions to specific problems; however, NCDs require complex care and strong health systems. Full-Text PDF Open Access