PRISME-Guinea: a model of scientific cooperation at the heart of global health issues

The Scientific Days of the International Research Platform in Global Health (PRISME-Guinea) were held in Conakry on October 21 and 22, bringing together researchers, academics and international partners around major global health issues. From the opening led by the Ministry of Health to the closing chaired by the Ministry of Higher Education, the event illustrated the growing vitality of Guinean research.

A major turning point for public health research

Launched under the aegis of the Ministry of Health, this first edition of the PRISME-Guinea Scientific Days marked a turning point for public health research in the country. In his opening speech, the ministry representative praised the commitment of CERFIG and its partners in promoting scientific innovation.

“This event marks a highlight for health research and innovation in our country. It brings together Guinean and international scientists around our common objectives to better understand and respond to emerging health threats, in an integrated One Health approach. he said.

The Secretary General of the ministry also insisted on the importance of research as a lever for health governance, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, while thanking the French and international partners ANRS-MIE, IRD, Inserm, AFD, MEAE and the French Embassy for their constant support.

A common vision carried by CERFIG and its partners

Professor Abdoulaye Touré, Director General of CERFIG, traced the genesis of the PRISME platform, born from cooperation between Guinea and France. According to him, this initiative “is the result of an exemplary collaboration forged during the 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic, now transformed into a lasting alliance for science in the service of public health”.

He stressed that PRISME represents a unique opportunity to strengthen national research and training capacities, while anticipating future health crises. For Professor Touré, the quality of the participants and the richness of the projects presented testify to the dynamism and scientific maturity achieved by Guinea over the years.

Rich and diverse themes

For two days, participants explored various themes around global health and emerging diseases. The discussions focused, among other things, on the projects One Health in Guinea, the surveillance network AFROSCREEN to better respond to health emergencies in Africa, or the study BCOMMING devoted to the seroprevalence of the Lassa virus.

Other research has highlighted the work carried out on the emergence of Ebola linked to human mobility (MUT), the epidemiology of Mpox in Guinea (EPAMAC), as well as clinical trials STRIVE on emerging infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. These presentations highlighted advances in the understanding and prevention of infectious diseases, including arboviruses, yellow fever, dengue, HIV and tuberculosis.

Satisfied and engaged participants

For Dr Salifou Talassone Bangoura, epidemiologist and doctoral student at CERFIG, these days made it possible to promote Guinean research and strengthen exchanges between scientists. “These two days provided an opportunity to review the results of research activities at CERFIG and other centers. We welcome these initiatives which contribute to popularizing scientific results to the public,” he rejoiced.

A closing under the sign of institutional commitment

The closing ceremony, chaired by the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, recalled the authorities' desire to better connect research to the needs of populations. The advisor to the Minister of Health stressed that “the results of scientific research must directly serve public policies and respond to the health concerns of the country”.

These Scientific Days thus ended on a note of hope and ambition: to consolidate international scientific cooperation and place research at the heart of sustainable development in Guinea.

Mamadou Kindy Bah