The burden of childhood illness does not end at hospital discharge. Many children living with HIV, especially in low-resource settings, remain at risk of severe complications and even death in the weeks following discharge. The SUPPORT project (GA 101145811), an initiative funded by Global Health EDCTP3 and coordinated by the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, aims to bridge this critical knowledge gap and improve survival of these children by training a new generation of researchers.
Dr. Pablo Rojo, the SUPPORT project coordinator, emphasised a critical need: “Africa needs more scientific researchers.” This project directly supports that mission by strengthening research capacity and developing future leaders in health sciences. In line with the World Bank’s recommendation that African universities should strive to produce approximately 100,000 PhDs over the next decade, this initiative represents a meaningful contribution toward achieving that ambitious and essential goal.
The project officially launched with a kick-off meeting in Kampala, Uganda, from February 18-20 2025, bringing together the early and mid-career fellows selected to join the training program, their mentors, and independent members from the Training Committee and Ethics Board. This milestone event marked the beginning of a collaborative effort to understand and address the factors influencing health outcomes of children with HIV after hospital discharge.
Each fellow presented their research topic during the meeting, and attended training sessions on various topics comprising clinical investigation, community engagement, data management, laboratory activities, and regulatory guidelines. The meeting gave to SUPPORT mentors and mentees the opportunity to connect, and start building a collaborative relationship together. The Consortium also had the privilege to receive Drs. Philippa Musoke and Cissy Kityo, experts in paediatric HIV, who delivered inspirational talks on how to make the most of mentor/mentee relationships so that both can achieve success and build a lasting, unforgettable and supportive relationships.
The meeting also served as a platform to refine the project protocol, ensuring it aligns with the latest evidence and best practices. With inputs from project partners and the Ethics Board, discussions focused on strengthening the methodological framework and ethical considerations of the main study. This collaborative approach ensures that the research is both rigorous and ethically sound, ultimately maximizing its impact on child health policies and practices.
The enthusiasm and commitment demonstrated at the kick-off meeting set the tone for the work ahead. With strong partnerships and a shared vision, the SUPPORT project is poised to generate meaningful evidence that will inform clinical practice and policy, ultimately saving lives.
The SUPPORT project (101145811) is supported by the Global Health EDCTP3 and its members. For more information, visit the SUPPORT website