Held from the 24th to 28th February 2025, this comprehensive five-day programme provided attendees with a clear understanding of the fundamental principles of Randomised Clinical Trials (RCTs). Through live lectures and practical sessions, participants gained insights into key issues in design, conduct, analysis and reporting, with a focus on major clinical trials that directly influence clinical practice. The course addressed topics from the perspectives of both public-sector research and the pharmaceutical industry, offering a well-rounded view of clinical trial management.
Dr Youssouf Bagayan, a Medical Doctor at the Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale du Centre-Ouest/Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro (CRUN) in Burkina Faso, was among the WANETAM-supported participants. Dr Bagayan, who is currently pursuing an MSc in Implementation Research, expressed how the training aligned with his professional aspirations.
“My goal is to be an accredited researcher in clinical research and to contribute to improving population health,” shared Dr Bagayan. “This course has exposed me to several designs for conducting clinical trials. It helped me improve and acquire the knowledge and skills needed to write and conduct high-quality clinical trials of general interest for population health. This training is an important step in achieving my professional goals,” he added.
Another participant, Maïga Wendmanegda Geneviève, also from CRUN highlighted the multifaceted benefits of the training for her various professional roles. “This training has been an exceptional learning experience, significantly enriching my knowledge of statistical tools that are crucial for the rigorous analysis of clinical and biological data,” she noted.
Geneviève explained how the training would enhance her capabilities across different aspects of her work: “As a Biologist, the analytical skills acquired will enable me to interpret experimental results with greater precision and draw meaningful conclusions. As a Trainee Clinical Trial Monitor, I am now better equipped to ensure data integrity and uphold the highest standards of quality throughout the research process and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) / (Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) standards. As an assistant Quality Management, my enhanced statistical proficiency will support informed decision-making, optimise processes, and contribute to continuous quality improvement within the projects I am involved in” she emphasised.
Lengane Abdoul Latif, a Study Clinician at CRUN, emphasised how the training strengthened his understanding of ethical and regulatory standards. “This short course allowed me to improve my knowledge in compliance with Ethical and regulatory standards. It has increased my understanding of GCP, ethical guidelines, and regulatory requirements (EMA, WHO),” he said.
Latif further highlighted the foreseen practical applications of his newly acquired knowledge: “This training has improved my ability to enhance informed consent processes, ensuring participants fully understand risks and benefits before enrolment, which helps reduce the number of withdrawals and loss to follow-up. It has also allowed me to increase my efficiency in Trial Conduct and strengthening Burkina Faso’s Clinical Research Capacity.”
The Essentials of Clinical Trials course represented an important opportunity for WANETAM to advance its efforts in building regional expertise in clinical trial management. By supporting healthcare professionals and researchers to attend specialised training, WANETAM is actively contributing to the development of a skilled workforce capable of designing, implementing, and managing high-quality clinical trials across West Africa. Through such investments in human capacity development, WANETAM is helping to build a robust network of clinical research professionals who can contribute to addressing the significant health challenges in the sub-region.
By continuing to support such training initiatives, WANETAM is not only enhancing individual careers but also contributing to the broader goal of establishing West Africa as a region with strong clinical research capabilities. This approach will help to ensure that clinical trials conducted in the region meet international standards and generate evidence that can inform local and international health policies and practices.
