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362 Olatunji et al. | Journal of Clinical and Translational Research 2023; 9(5): 357-368
In addition to physical infrastructure, integrating digital health to maximize their impact on clinical and translational research.
technologies is a pivotal enabler for advancing clinical and This training should encompass technical skills and emphasize
translational research in Africa. By embracing electronic medical research methodologies, data management, ethics, and adherence
records, telemedicine platforms, and health information systems, to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines. Ensuring continuous
the continent can unlock new dimensions of research potential. professional development and supporting capacity-building
These transformative technologies play a multifaceted role in initiatives can nurture a competent research workforce capable of
enhancing various aspects of the research landscape, ultimately harnessing the full potential of digital health technologies.
revolutionizing clinical and translational studies’ quality, Public-private partnerships and collaborations between African
efficiency, and scope [44]. institutions, international organizations, and private sector entities
Digital health technologies offer a wealth of benefits to hold immense potential for enhancing health infrastructure across
research endeavors in Africa. One primary advantage is their the continent. The African Development Bank (AfDB) has taken
capacity to streamline data collection, management, and analysis a proactive step in addressing Africa’s health infrastructure
processes [45]. Electronic medical records provide a standardized deficits by releasing its Strategy for Quality Health Infrastructure
and efficient record-keeping approach, facilitating seamless in Africa 2021 – 2030 [50]. This strategy is a response to the
patient data access across health-care facilities [46]. This enhances urgent need to improve national health infrastructure, which has
the continuity of patient care and enables researchers to access been underscored by the challenges posed by the COVID-19
comprehensive and real-time health information for their studies. pandemic and other health crises. The AfDB, drawing on its
As a result, data accuracy and completeness are greatly improved, core expertise in infrastructure development, aims to bridge the
ensuring the validity and reliability of research findings. existing gaps and provide essential support to regional member
Furthermore, telemedicine platforms offer a groundbreaking countries seeking to strengthen their health-care systems. Such
solution to the geographical barriers often faced in researching vast partnerships can bring additional resources, funding, and expertise
and diverse African landscapes [47]. Researchers can remotely to support developing and maintaining health-care facilities and
consult with patients and health-care professionals through research infrastructure [31]. For example, collaborations with
telemedicine, enabling a more inclusive and representative pharmaceutical companies or medical equipment manufacturers
participant pool. This virtual connectivity expedites the recruitment can provide access to cutting-edge technologies and resources
process and ensures broader participation, encompassing remote that might otherwise be challenging. However, despite the
and underserved regions. Consequently, research studies become promising potential of these strategies, several challenges
more representative of the African population, leading to more may impede their successful execution. Key barriers include
generalizable and applicable results. The efficient sharing of limited financial resources, bureaucratic hurdles, and varying
health data facilitated by digital health technologies fosters regulatory environments across African countries. To overcome
unprecedented collaboration among researchers, healthcare these challenges, stakeholders must align their efforts and work
institutions, and policymakers. By breaking down silos and together to overcome barriers. Policymakers and international
promoting data interoperability, these technologies create a organizations must be crucial in facilitating dialogue and fostering
collaborative ecosystem where research findings can be shared an enabling collaborative environment.
and disseminated rapidly. This not only accelerates the pace of Moreover, it is essential to prioritize the equitable distribution
research but also cultivates a culture of knowledge exchange and of health infrastructure across regions and populations within
scientific cooperation within the African research community. African countries. By ensuring that research facilities and
However, despite the promising potential of digital health resources are accessible to underserved areas, rural communities,
technologies, implementing these innovations comes with and marginalized populations, clinical and translational research
challenges. The first significant hurdle is the need for robust data benefits can reach a broader population segment. This inclusivity
privacy and security measures. Safeguarding sensitive patient helps address health disparities and ensures that research findings
information is paramount to maintaining trust and compliance apply to diverse populations.
with ethical standards [48]. Therefore, policymakers must invest Governments in African countries must display an unwavering
in establishing robust data protection frameworks, ensuring that dedication to research advancement by allocating a substantial
patient privacy is prioritized throughout the research process. portion of their budgets to support clinical and translational
Moreover, technology adoption requires substantial initial research endeavors. Regrettably, public funding for research in
investments and ongoing maintenance costs [48]. For many African many African countries has been inadequate. African countries
countries with limited resources, securing adequate funding for must grapple with more financial support for research initiatives.
these technologies can take time and effort. Policymakers and In 2006, member countries of the African Union committed to
stakeholders must collaborate to devise sustainable financing spending 1% of their gross domestic product (GDP) on R&D, a
models, exploring public-private partnerships and international pledge to foster scientific progress and innovation. However, the
cooperation to bridge the funding gap. Integrating digital health continent’s actual funding for research stood at a mere 0.42% by
technologies also demands a skilled and tech-savvy workforce [49]. 2019, starkly contrasting the global average of 1.7% [28]. The
Training health-care professionals, researchers, and research disparity in research funding is evident in individual African
coordinators in utilizing these technologies effectively are essential countries as well. For instance, Kenya allocates approximately
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18053/jctres.09.202305.23-00079