1. IRSS – Centre Muraz : A collaborative research initiative for the promotion of Health in Africa Maxime Koiné DRABO MD, MPH, PhD

2. Mission and objectives of the collaborative team Our mission to strengthen the rational basis of health care for populations living in Burkina Faso. This is achieved by providing an excellent platform for training and research in tropical diseases, fully compliant with international standards. Our main objective to develop and maintain over time a good expertise and infrastructure ensuring high quality training and health research. Our 2 main areas of intervention Clinical research Health system research

3. The means created to achieve this objective Creation of the clinical research unit of Nanoro (CRUN) With a Health & Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) of 54,000 people Set up of Good Capacity for conducting clinical trials at high standard level (ICH/GCP). About 20 grants obtained within the last 3 years including 15 clinical trials on malaria drugs and vaccine (RTS,S) at ICH/GCP standards. Creation of the Health system promotion unit Testing new strategy of care delivery ▫Global approach for TB case management Set up of interface between care providers (ongoing) Improvement of care for diabetes and hypertension (soon)

4. Our contribution to the National Health policy Contribution to the change of Burkina Faso malaria treatment policy (From Chloroquine to ACTs) through the results obtained from our studies in Nanoro. Support to the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) for the regular epidemiological surveillance of antimalarials efficacy. Set up of a Pharmacovigilance for ACTs in collaboration with the National Malaria Control Program with about 50,000 people under surveillance. Decentralizing of TB diagnosis and drug delivery from hospitals to First Line Health Centers (FLHC).

5. Particularities Researcher use to work each in his side ▫Clinical trials ▫Epidemiological studies ▫Economical studies ▫Sociological studies; The new approach: with the malaria vaccine in trial (RTS,S) ▫Involving economists, social sciences specialists health systems specialists ▫For the basic situation analysis (knowledge, practice and attitude; needs in matter of prevention; gaps in terms of cultural and economical perspectives) Favoring factors: ▫The conviction of researchers (Dr Tinto, Dr Alexandro, Dr Macq….) ▫The complaints of people using health centres Barriers ▫Few support from vaccine companies ▫Cost (time and money ) of such approach

6. Our vision for the future In the next 10 years, the group will become one of the major research and training attraction in sub-Saharan Africa. Participating to seminal work for formulating and orienting African public health strategies and programs. Providing competent human resources in the field of health Maintaining collaboration with the north and strengthening south to south collaboration. How to achieve this vision Staff: Increase the number of highly trained staff (PhD level and provide them with a clear career development plan. Clinical trials: Expand the trial portfolio to other diseases (TB, HIV, etc) Health system: Increase the variety of the tested strategies for health systems Offer the site platform and expertise for the training of health professionals in areas such as: strategies for better access to care, health care financing strategies, Evidence based medicine…, Strategies: Reinforce networks for sharing experiences and information between research institutions in the south Future Plans of the Initiative

7. Thank you Dr Maxime Koiné DRABO MD, MPH, PhD Health system promotion unit IRSS/Centre Muraz BP 545 Bobo Dioulasso 01 m_drabok@yahoo.fr