Strengthening of the clinical research capacity for malaria: a shared responsibility

Lack of adequate human resource capacity, good governance, sound physical infrastructure and well-functioning systems impede economic growth in low- and middle-income countries. The heavy burden from disease compounds this. To overcome these setbacks a concerted effort needs to be taken. This requires collective effort of all including the public and private sectors from development partners and from low- and medium-income countries themselves. Specific research capacity gaps, such as lack of expertise and infrastructure to engage in upstream research and development of new products, need to be addressed. Special attention should also be given to those with more acute capacity needs and high disease burden, such as communities in conflict-affected regions. Capacity building approaches need to be innovative and responsive to needs and the ever changing scientific landscape. Therefore, for example, as the global community aims to eliminate and eventually eradicate malaria, there should be an appropriately matched effort to strengthen the capacity to meet these challenges.