June 06, 2020, CDT-Africa celebrated the International Clinical Trials Day in Ethiopia for the 7th time under the theme “Clinical Trials in the Era of COVID-19”. The COVID-19 pandemic meant that this year we had to celebrate the day on a virtual platform. The meeting was hosted by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.  

Opening remarks were made by H.E. Prof Afework Kassu, State Minister, MoSHE; Prof Tassew Woldehanna, President, Addis Ababa University; and Dr Munir Kassa, COVID-19 Task Force Planning and Policy Team Leader at MoH.  

Prof Eyasu Makonnen, Deputy Head of CDT-Africa and chair of the ACT chaired the meeting. The three key presentations made were,

  1. Clinical Trials for the management of COVID-19, by Prof. Asrat Hailu, leader of Diagnostic Development Unit, CDT-Africa
  2. Ethical approval of clinical trials on COVID-19, by Prof Telahun Teka, Chair, National Research Ethics Review Committee and member of the Advisory Committee on Clinical Trials (ACT)
  3. Actions taken for regulatory approval of clinical trial related with COVID-19 pandemic, by Mrs Asnakech Alemu, Director of Safety Production, EFDA and member of the ACT

After fruitful discussions, closing remarks were made by Ms. Heran Gerba, Director, EFDA and Dr Abebe Gentu, Director, Armauer Hansen Research Institute. The final closing remark was done by Dr Mulu Nega, State Minister.

Over 180 participants from Federal Ministry offices, universities and research institutes attended the virtual celebration of 2020’s ICT day.