Implementing a clinical study in low resources settings

Low income countries provide a conducive but also challenging environment for implementation of clinical research. They exhibit a great burden of disease, inadequate health systems and infrastructure, no or non-functional medical insurance, political diversities, poverty, a large rural-based population, strong and fragmented cultures and beliefs, high illiteracy rates and population, and dependence on external health and research funding. Moreso, they have a growing research ethics, regulation and political will towards research and development as a core strategy for national development and a strong collaborative spirit. These demonstrate the existing vulnerability, need for unique research considerations and opportunities for ethically acceptable and scientifically sound research. We will highlight these considerations, the existing contentious issues and changes induced by COVID-19, so as to guide strategies contextualized for implementing clinical studies in low resource settings.