Advancing Affordable Health Innovation for Africa

Improving Lives Through Research, Partnership and Patient Support

The Africa Patient Support Network (APSN) is a South African nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health outcomes across Sub-Saharan Africa through patient support, health education, ethical clinical research, and capacity strengthening.

Our mission is to help ensure that affordable, evidence-based health innovations reach the communities that need them most. We work with researchers, healthcare providers, universities, governments, and development partners to strengthen African-led research and improve access to quality healthcare.

Our Focus

  • Patient Support and Community Health

  • Health Education and Disease Awareness

  • Clinical Research and Innovation

  • Research Capacity Building

  • Ethics, Regulatory Science and Pharmacovigilance

  • Strategic Partnerships Across Africa

Our Vision

An Africa where every person has access to affordable, evidence-based healthcare and where African researchers lead innovations that improve public health.

Un-Bridge

Building ethical and regulatory capacity for botanical research in Africa

Our Mission

Building ethical and regulatory research capacity across East and Southern Africa.

African researchers and regulators engaged in a focused discussion around a laboratory table.
African researchers and regulators engaged in a focused discussion around a laboratory table.
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A modern conference room with diverse African scientists collaborating on clinical research protocols.
A modern conference room with diverse African scientists collaborating on clinical research protocols.

Our Work

Building ethical and regulatory research capacity.

African researchers engaged in a collaborative discussion around laboratory equipment.
African researchers engaged in a collaborative discussion around laboratory equipment.
Ethics Training

Empowering committees with up-to-date ethical guidelines.

A workshop setting with regulators and scientists reviewing botanical samples.
A workshop setting with regulators and scientists reviewing botanical samples.
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Close-up of a researcher analyzing phytochemical data on a computer screen.
Close-up of a researcher analyzing phytochemical data on a computer screen.
A meeting of diverse African health professionals discussing clinical trial protocols.
A meeting of diverse African health professionals discussing clinical trial protocols.
Regulatory Science

Strengthening oversight of botanical investigational products.

Get Involved

FAQs

What is UN-Bridge?

UN-Bridge is a consortium strengthening ethical and regulatory capacity for botanical research in Africa.

Who can join?
Why focus on botanicals?
What are the programme goals?
When is the deadline?

Universities, regulators, ethics committees, and research institutions are welcome partners.

Botanical investigational products require special attention due to complex authentication, phytochemical analysis, and integration of traditional knowledge within regulatory frameworks.

To enhance ethics review, regulatory science, pharmacovigilance, and clinical trial governance across East and Southern Africa.

The proposal submission deadline is 31 August 2026.

African researchers engaged in a detailed discussion over botanical samples in a bright, modern laboratory.
African researchers engaged in a detailed discussion over botanical samples in a bright, modern laboratory.

Gallery

Snapshots of collaboration, research, and ethical governance in action

A regulatory meeting with diverse experts reviewing clinical trial protocols around a conference table.
A regulatory meeting with diverse experts reviewing clinical trial protocols around a conference table.
Close-up of hands examining phytochemical charts and botanical authentication documents.
Close-up of hands examining phytochemical charts and botanical authentication documents.
University researchers working together in a high-tech lab, surrounded by scientific equipment.
University researchers working together in a high-tech lab, surrounded by scientific equipment.
Ethics committee members engaged in a thoughtful discussion during a formal review session.
Ethics committee members engaged in a thoughtful discussion during a formal review session.
A panoramic view of a hospital research ward where clinical trials on botanical products are conducted.
A panoramic view of a hospital research ward where clinical trials on botanical products are conducted.
gray computer monitor

Contact Us

Reach out for partnership or programme inquiries.