Paris, 23 February 2009 – Jean-Michel Debrat, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Agence Française de Développement, and Benoît Miribel, Director General of Fondation Mérieux, today signed a financing agreement for a project to strengthen the laboratory diagnosis sector in three Sub-Saharan African countries: Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal.

The 4 million euro project will last three years and aims to develop and support the network of biomedical analysis laboratories in its missions for continuous staff training, quality management and epidemiological surveillance.

A high-quality biological diagnosis can make it possible to identify an infection, select treatments and monitor the infection until it is cured. Strengthening the laboratory network will help support the implementation of programs to combat priority diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other epidemic infections.

“Africa pays a particularly heavy price because medical diagnoses are either badly conducted or are not conducted at all, especially when it comes to infectious diseases. In the three countries concerned by the project some 300 000 persons live with HIV and over 80% are not even aware of it. 100 000 people are affected by tuberculosis every year and a third do not have access to a diagnosis. Malaria is the second cause of death in Senegal, irrespective of age, and the third cause in Burkina Faso and Mali. We are pleased to implement this project to strengthen the laboratory sector in partnership with the Ministries of Health of the respective countries and with the support of Agence Française de Développement.” says Benoît Miribel.

Fondation Mérieux has been supporting capacity building for biological diagnoses in Mali for 3 years as part of a program cofinanced by the European Commission. The current project builds on and extends this experience. It was designed with, and at the request of, the Ministries of Health in the three beneficiary countries.
The main activities of the project will be to formalize continuous training for laboratory staff, strengthen quality assurance and support the epidemiological surveillance system. Expertise from all three countries will be mutualized and a sub-regional network of laboratories will be created in order to begin a process to harmonize practices between countries. The World Health Organization and the West African Health Organization will be involved in piloting the project.

“This project contributes to achieving the Millennium Development Goal for combating HIV and other infections where France is focusing the bulk of its efforts. It is perfectly in line with the mission entrusted to Agence Française de Développement to extend and build potential for multilateral financing via bilateral actions. This partnership with a foundation is also in line with AFD’s policy to develop public-private partnerships.” adds Jean-Michel Debrat.

Our Mission

Agence Française de Développement (AFD) is a specialized financial institution at the center of France’s official development assistance to poor countries and support to France’s Overseas local authorities. In this capacity, AFD contributes to poverty reduction and supports economic growth and environmental preservation. AFD finances projects led by local public authorities, public enterprises, the private sector and associations. In 2007 it financed the management of 2.2 million persons affected by AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.

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La Fondation Mérieux

Fondation Mérieux is an independent State-approved foundation set up by Dr. Charles Mérieux in 1967. Its mission is to help developing countries to combat infectious diseases by providing innovative solutions for diagnosis and prevention in a sustainable development perspective.
Its action is based on three priority areas: 1. to support applied research, 2. scientific training and information, 3. to strengthen health infrastructure and 4. to support patients.
Fondation Mérieux is building a network of laboratories at the center of infectious outbreaks and is today present in Mali, Madagascar, Haiti, Cambodia, Lao PDR and China.

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Press Contact

Fondation Mérieux
Amal Darghouth
Tel. : +33(4) 50 64 30 52
E-mail : amal.darghouth[@]fondation-merieux.org
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AFD
Laure Weisgerber
Tel :+33(1) 53 44 30 57
E-mail : weisgerberl[@]afd.fr