REDe is tasked with creating a regional research network that is able to respond to emerging infectious diseases. This regionally-led network needs to be equipped with the knowledge, methods, skills and capabilities to support a high quality, rapid and coherent research response to the Zika outbreak in the short term. In addition this network sets out to establish lasting capacity to conduct research in the event of other vector-borne and emerging infectious disease outbreaks in Latin America and the Caribbean in the long-term.
This long term objective can be achieved by improving day-to-day evidence generation and engagement in research, and therefore this platform sets out to be a resource for research teams and staff. It offers a ‘community of practice’ for doctors, nurses, lab staff, data managers and pharmacists – in fact everyone who is involved in clinical research studies. A community of practice is a dedicated space for you to work, share ideas and discuss problems with your colleagues in other groups. Here you can find training courses, help topics, template documents, guidance notes – everything that you need to run a good study.
Over time there will be materials and resources highly specific to responding to outbreaks and also meeting the precise gaps that you ask to be addressed. So get involved! This is here for you and you can help make it a powerful resource for research in Latin America. There is also an operational team and steering committee being set up for REDe which will comprise coordinators from across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Specific objectives of REDe:
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To establish a regional network of excellence for research that shares knowledge, expertise and provides local support and training when and where needed in EID preparedness and response.
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To collaborate with regional and international networks to leverage synergies, share knowledge and identify and address regulatory bottlenecks in EID preparedness and response.
- To leverage input and data from peer networks and research databases with the aim to speed up evidence generation and improve research efficiencies in EID preparedness and response.
- To develop a sustainability plan that will allow the network to continue beyond the funding period.
The meaning behind 'REDe'
Red and Rede mean ‘network’ in Spanish and Portuguese. Therefore REDe is a highly fitting name for this research capacity network for preparedness, as phonetically it can also be ‘ready’ as in prepared. RED is also the international colour for being alert. It is clear and simple, and moves beyond Zika, and even the region, with the REDe term still making it Latin American. This name gives the sense of a neutral, transparent, open and inviting platform for all the Zika consortia to share and for everyone in the region to feel part of.
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Find out more about the REDe initiative