- An ultra-short course of primaquine for the radical cure of vivax malaria (PRIMUS)
Current treatment regimens to prevent relapsing malaria are too long. A shorter higher dose treatment could improve treatment outcomes but this needs to be balanced against increased risk of side effects. We aim to compare the anti-relapse efficacy and safety of a new ultra-short high-dose primaquine regimen (PQ3.5, 1mg/kg twice daily over 3.5 days) to a short high-dose primaquine regimen (PQ7, 1mg/kg daily over 37 days). A multicenter health care facility based, randomised, controlled, double blinded, trial will be conducted. This trial will be conducted in four countries and is expected to directly influence global treatment policies. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07468526
Sponsor: Menzies School of Health Research
Investigators: Prof. Kamala Thriemer (Overall PI) and Prof. Daniel Yilma (Jimma site PI)
- Antimicrobial Stewardship, Prevention of Infection and Resistance in Africa (ASPIRE)
Healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance are major challenges in African hospitals. The ASPIRE project aims to strengthen infection prevention and control, antimicrobial stewardship, and antibiotic optimization in hospitals in Ethiopia and Ghana. Using enhanced hygiene interventions, microbiological surveillance, and therapeutic drug monitoring, the project evaluates strategies to reduce infections and improve antibiotic use. ASPIRE is a multidisciplinary African European consortium expected to generate evidence to inform hospital infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship policies in low-resource settings. (https://www.aspire-amr-project.org/aspire)
Sponsor: European Union EDCTP3 Programme
Investigators: Prof. Esayas Kebede Gudina (PI)
- Clinical performance evaluation of the Rapigen two BIOCREDIT Malaria Ag RDTs for detecting falciparum and P. vivax infections in patients with suspected malaria symptoms
Rapigen Inc.newly developed BIOCREDIT Malaria Ag Pf (cHL) and BIOCREDIT Malaria Ag Pf/Pv (cHL/L) RDTs that combines the high detection efficiency of HRP2-based tests with the ability to detect HRP2 gene mutations through LDH, while also improving usability. In this clinical trial, we aim to evaluate the clinical performance of these two Rapigen RDTs for detection of P. falciparum and/or P. vivax infections compared to microscopy and qPCR. It is expected to be especially useful in regions where HRP2 gene deletion mutations are spreading like horn of Africa including Ethiopia.
Sponsor: Rapigen
Investigator: Prof. Daniel Yilma (PI)
- Reducing Mortality in Adults With Advanced HIV Disease (REVIVE)
People with advanced HIV disease remain at high risk of early death despite ART initiation. The REVIVE trial aims to determine whether a 4-week course of azithromycin prophylaxis can reduce mortality among adults with advanced HIV disease and CD4 counts ≤100 cells/mm. REVIVE is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III trial conducted across several African countries. Participants receive either azithromycin or placebo alongside standard HIV care and are followed for 24 weeks. The study is expected to provide evidence to guide global HIV treatment policies. (https://www.phri.ca/research/revive/)
Sponsor: Population Health Research Institute (PHRI)
Investigators: Dr. Tafese Beye (Ethiopia PI), Prof. Esayas Kebede Gudina (local PI).
- A Pan-African Research Infrastructure for Collaborative Biomedical Imaging and Artificial Intelligence in Respiratory Care (AFRICAI-RI)
Respiratory diseases such as tuberculosis and pneumonia remain major causes of illness and death in sub-Saharan Africa, while access to medical imaging expertise and AI-supported diagnostics is limited. AFRICAI-RI aims to establish Africa’s first federated biomedical imaging and artificial intelligence research infrastructure to support the development of trustworthy AI tools for diagnosing respiratory diseases. The project will create a secure pan-African imaging repository using chest X-rays and ultrasound data from multiple institutions across Africa, while preserving data privacy through federated learning approaches. AFRICAI-RI will also strengthen regional capacity in AI, digital health, and clinical research through training and stakeholder engagement. The project is expected to improve diagnosis of tuberculosis and pneumonia and provide a sustainable platform for future AI-driven healthcare innovation in Africa. (https://africai-ri.eu/)
Sponsor: European Union EDCTP3 Programme
Investigators: Prof. Karim Lekadir (Overall PI), Prof. Esayas Kebede Gudina (Ethiopia PI).
- COMBAT-AMR
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an increasing threat in Ethiopia, driven by limited surveillance systems, inadequate microbiology capacity, and inappropriate antibiotic use in both healthcare and community settings. The Ethiopia–LMU AMR project aims to strengthen microbiology services, AMR surveillance, molecular diagnostics, and antibiotic stewardship through a collaboration between Jimma University Medical Center, St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, and Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich. The project combines human and environmental AMR surveillance using a One Health approach, integrates a digital dhis-2–based AMR reporting and clinical decision support system, and expands molecular resistance testing and genome sequencing capacities in Ethiopia. Through microbiological surveillance, bioinformatics analysis, and clinician-focused antimicrobial stewardship activities, the project seeks to improve evidence-based antibiotic use, track transmission of resistant pathogens, and strengthen long-term AMR research and diagnostic capacity in Ethiopia. The project is expected to support national AMR control strategies and contribute to global efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance.
Sponsor: German Hospital Partnerships Programme (GIZ/BMZ)
Investigators: Dr. Arne Kroidl (overall PI), Prof. Esayas Kebede Gudina (local PI).
- Leprosy Case Detection and Assessing Stigma & Mental Health in Potential hotspot areas in Ethiopia (LeAP-Ethiopia)
Leprosy remains a neglected public health problem in Ethiopia, where delayed diagnosis, stigma, and mental health challenges continue to affect affected individuals and communities. The LeAP-Ethiopia project aims to improve early leprosy case detection, reduce stigma, and address mental health problems in potential hotspot areas through community engagement, awareness campaigns, and healthcare worker training. The project integrates community-based screening, anti-stigma interventions, and psychosocial support while strengthening collaboration between health facilities, community structures, and spiritual healing sites. Led through collaboration between Jimma University and LMU Munich, the project is expected to strengthen sustainable leprosy control and improve quality of life for affected individuals in Ethiopia. (https://ekfs.de/en/humanitarian-funding/currently-funded-projects/leprosy-case-detection-and-assessing-stigma-mental)
Sponsor: Else Kröner‑Fresenius‑Stiftung (EKFS)
Investigators: Prof. Esayas Kebede Gudina (PI)
- Hepatitis B in sub-Saharan Africa: scaling up treatment in Ethiopia
Chronic hepatitis B remains a major cause of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer in sub-Saharan Africa, yet access to antiviral treatment is extremely limited due to high costs, limited diagnostics, and complex treatment guidelines. The Ethiopia HBV Scale-Up Project aims to simplify and expand hepatitis B treatment services across Ethiopia by developing locally adapted treatment protocols suitable for low-resource settings. Building on a successful pilot treatment cohort, the project established hepatitis B treatment centers in Jimma, Harar, Adama, and Semera and enrolled approximately 6,000 patients, including around 1,200 eligibles for antiviral therapy. Using simplified diagnostic approaches, low-cost laboratory testing, and sustainable drug procurement systems, the project aimed to evaluate the feasibility of decentralized hepatitis B care and support the development of national treatment guidelines. The project aimed to strengthen long-term hepatitis B control and contribute to the scale-up of chronic hepatitis B treatment in Ethiopia and similar low-income settings.
Sponsor: international academic collaboration led by Vestfold Hospital Trust Norway
Investigators: Prof. Asgeir Johannessen (overall PI), Prof. Hailemichael Desalegn (national PI), Prof. Esayas Kebede Gudina (local coordinator).