AFIDMURG Trains Over 150 African Researchers On Infectious Disease Systematic Review

AFIDMURG Trains Over 150 African Researchers On Infectious Disease Systematic Review

The African Infectious Disease Multidisciplinary Research and Grant (AFIDMURG) has successfully trained more than 150 infectious disease experts, researchers, academicians, laboratorians, policymakers and postgraduate students from Africa and other continents during a virtual workshop on systematic review reporting and infectious disease research.

The workshop, held on May 7, 2026, focused on strengthening Africa’s research capacity, improving evidence-based scientific reporting and enhancing preparedness against emerging and endemic infectious diseases across the continent.

Participants at the training came from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas, reflecting the growing international interest in collaborative infectious disease research involving Africa.

AFIDMURG, established in 2020, was founded with the vision of connecting African infectious disease experts and multidisciplinary researchers to solve communal health challenges linked to endemic and emerging diseases affecting the continent.

Speaking during the workshop themed “Step-by-Step Approach to a Systematic Review,” the Founder and Director of AFIDMURG, Dr. Abdul-Azeez Adeyemi Anjorin, stressed the urgent need to strengthen Africa’s contribution to global infectious disease data and scientific research.

Dr. Anjorin, the immediate past Head of the Department of Microbiology at Lagos State University, noted that infectious diseases remain among the leading causes of death globally, citing illnesses such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, influenza, Lassa fever, Mpox and Ebola.

According to him, Africa must improve the quality and speed of infectious disease reporting and publication through globally recognised scientific tools such as systematic reviews.

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“The battle against infectious diseases requires experts to be well equipped, hence the need for capacity building with correct instruments like systematic review to integrate African data into the world database,” he said.

Dr. Anjorin, who also serves on several international scientific and virology networks, explained that AFIDMURG intends to train researchers in areas such as disease surveillance, grant writing, pandemic prevention, artificial intelligence applications and practical research skills.

He added that the organisation aims to foster collaboration among African scientists globally while strengthening local and international partnerships in infectious disease research.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Muhabat Raji of Alfaisal University, Riyadh, highlighted the growing importance of systematic reviews in evidence-based research, public health policy and clinical decision-making.

She explained that systematic reviews offer a structured and transparent approach to synthesising scientific literature, thereby improving the reliability and credibility of research findings.

Dr. Raji urged researchers to adhere to ethical standards and globally accepted reporting guidelines while conducting systematic reviews to ensure impactful and internationally relevant studies.

She also encouraged young researchers and academics to embrace interdisciplinary collaboration and continuously develop their skills in research methodologies and digital research tools.

According to her, systematic reviews not only identify knowledge gaps but also contribute significantly to policy formulation, academic development and improved healthcare practices.

The guest speaker, Prof. Ismail Ayoade Odetokun of the University of Ilorin, delivered detailed practical sessions explaining the concept and processes involved in conducting systematic reviews.

He guided participants through major stages including topic selection, research question formulation, literature search strategies, data extraction and analysis of findings.

Prof. Odetokun also discussed common challenges associated with systematic reviews and advised researchers to maintain methodological rigor, objectivity and accuracy during scientific investigations.

The virtual workshop was moderated by Emmanuel Oyinloye of Hanover Medical School, Germany, who coordinated discussions and facilitated interaction between speakers and participants throughout the event.

In his closing remarks, Oyinloye summarised key lessons from the workshop and encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained in future academic and scientific research projects.

AFIDMURG disclosed that its overarching mission is to foster infectious disease multidisciplinary collaborations among Africans globally, collect and analyse disease outbreak data, secure research grants and publish timely scientific findings on infectious diseases affecting Africa.

The organisation also highlighted some of its previous Pan-African studies on COVID-19, vaccine surveillance and Mpox outbreaks published in international journals including PLOS One, Tropical Medicine and International Health, Vaccines, PAMJ and COVID.

AFIDMURG further announced that it remains open to infectious disease experts and researchers interested in collaborative research, grant development and public health initiatives across Africa and beyond.

AFIDMURG Trains Over 150 African Researchers On Infectious Disease Systematic Review