This archive report was first published on 5 May 2020.
Kenya to Conduct Clinical Trials for COVID-19 Treatments ¶
Kenyan researchers are joining international efforts to find a cure for COVID-19, with plans to conduct clinical trials for three potential treatments.
According to Dr. Loice Achieng Ombajo, the principal investigator of the study, the trials will test the effectiveness of Remdesivir, an antiretroviral drug approved by the US FDA for emergency COVID-19 treatment, hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malaria drug, and Lopinavir/ritonavir, used to treat HIV patients.
Dr. Ombajo, who heads the Infectious Disease Unit at Kenyatta National Hospital, explained that the clinical trials will involve randomly allocating patients to receive one of the three treatments and observing their response.
The researchers have already received approval from the Ethics Committee at the University of Nairobi and the Poisons and Pharmacies Board, and are awaiting final approval from the National Council of Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI).
Dr. Ombajo emphasized the importance of community engagement and informed consent in the trial process, stating that participants will be fully informed about the risks and benefits of the treatments and will be protected by confidentiality.
The clinical trials are part of a larger effort to combat COVID-19 in Kenya, which has seen a significant increase in cases since the first confirmed case was announced on March 13.
Dr. Ombajo noted that the patients they have seen so far have ranged from asymptomatic to severe cases, with some experiencing mild symptoms such as cough and fever, while others have required oxygen support and other medical interventions.
She emphasized the importance of continued research and development of effective treatments for COVID-19, stating that the trials will help to inform behavior and reduce the number of cases in Kenya.
