Training and Clinical Research Capacity Building in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Addressing Unmet Needs

The Middle East, Mediterranean, and Africa (MEMA) region, encompassing 68 countries and 20% of the global population, contributes only 6% of the world's registered clinical trials. This editorial identifies eight key barriers to clinical research in the region: (1) limited collaboration with high-income country (HIC) universities supporting low-income country (LIC) research, (2) insufficient specialized training programs, (3) inadequate laboratory and technological infrastructure, (4) lack of research methodology integration in medical curricula, (5) underdeveloped local institutional review boards, (6) insufficient and unsustainable funding, (7) limited technology transfer from HICs to LICs, and (8) migration of skilled professionals to HICs. These challenges hinder the region's research capacity and global contribution. Proposed solutions include fostering HIC-LMIC partnerships, enhancing training through scholarships and local research centers, improving infrastructure via international collaboration, and developing robust ethical review systems. By addressing these barriers, LMICs can increase their contribution to global clinical research, promoting equitable health outcomes.