African researchers have been urged to take charge in research to further strengthen regional support in epidemic response.
This is according to research carried by researchers from the University of Nairobi in collaboration with other researchers titled, “Building equitable epidemic response: the Interdisciplinary Consortium for Epidemics Research (ICER) position on Bundibugyo ebolavirus and regional preparedness in sub-Saharan Africa,’’ where they pose the question ‘who leads the science when Africa faces epidemics?’
The article which follows the Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BDBV) outbreak fevers in Central Africa has highlighted a profound imbalance in global health. According to this study, for decades, outbreak science has been driven by external actors. This discrepancy has left African researchers sidelined, with local priorities ignored.
Drawing lessons from this West African Ebola epidemic, which exposed the consequences of weak regional preparedness and limited local leadership, the Interdisciplinary Consortium for Epidemics Research (ICER) is calling for a fundamental shifts in African research and how Africa react.
In their position ICER argues that African-led science is not just essential, but a necessity for survival.
The results from this article advocates for an immediate, regionally led research programmes centered on hypothesis-driven studies and proactive countermeasure development. They call for government preparedness frameworks to be accelerated to accommodate regional expansion and for international partnerships to move toward a model of genuine support and built-in benefit sharing.
The goal is a future where African scientists lead the investigation, ensuring that research questions reflect local needs and that scientific capacity is sustained long after an outbreak is contained.
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