ACRN was honored to participate in this year’s National Association of Physicians of Zimbabwe (NAPAZ) meeting. Although the team had initially hoped to attend the ESACOP gathering, NAPAZ’s role as a key member of ESACOP provided a valuable opportunity to engage directly with Zimbabwean physicians.
ACRN holds a firm belief that African physicians are central to driving research and innovation across the continent. Their leadership and active involvement are essential for Africa to claim its rightful place in the global clinical trials landscape.
The diversity of topics presented at the meeting highlighted this potential, with compelling sessions on:
– Cardiovascular disease and the challenges of delivering stroke care in low-income settings.
– Diabetes, including the complexities of management and the prevalence of autoimmune antibodies in newly diagnosed type 2 cases.
– Rheumatologic conditions in African populations, especially in the context of pregnancy planning.
– Broader discussions on digital health records, integration, and cross-specialty interest in research.
What stood out most to ACRN was the palpable energy in the room—a clear indication that clinicians are not only providing care but also advancing the frontiers of medical knowledge. This reaffirmed ACRN’s commitment to local engagement as the cornerstone of catalytic impact.
Importantly, NAPAZ is part of a broader movement. Across Africa, physician associations serve as powerful platforms for building research ecosystems. They connect investigators, patients, communities, policymakers, and stakeholders in ways that are vital for developing science grounded in African realities.
For ACRN, these conversations are a reminder that their mission goes beyond conducting trials. It’s about being catalysts—empowering African physicians and investigators to shape the future of medicine.
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