Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation
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Bridging Gaps: IBHI-Lab visited by researchers from Glasgow University i.e. Prof Poppy Lamberton and Dr Sergi Alonso

From May 12th to 16th, Prof. Poppy Lamberton and Dr. Sergi Alonso from the University of Glasgow visited the Immunobiology and Helminthes Infections Unit (IBHI) and the Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory at the Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plant Studies (IMPM), Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation, in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The visit commenced on May 13th with formal greetings to IMPM officials, followed by their installation in the IBHI extension facility. Subsequently, they toured the IMPM laboratories (including IBHI, CRPMT, and CREMER), engaged in discussions with IBHI lab members, followed by a field report on an ongoing collaborative project.

On May 14th, at the IMPM conference hall, Prof. Lamberton, a parasitologist and field epidemiologist, and Dr. Alonso, a health economist, delivered insightful talks on “An Interdisciplinary Approach to Identifying Sustainable, Popular, and Cost-Effective Interventions for Schistosomiasis” and “Health Economics to Inform Global Health Policy,” respectively. These presentations drew IMPM researchers as well as other Cameroonian researchers, sparking discussions and potential new avenues of collaboration.

The following day, May 15th, the visitors met with the Sub-Director in Charge of School Health at the Ministry of Basic Education and visited the Schistosomiasis National Control Program (PNLSHI) at MINSANTE. Here, they engaged in productive discussions with the PNLSHI coordinator and team.

The visit concluded on May 16th  with a trip to rural sites in the Bokito area (Bafia) and some field collection sites. During this on-site visit, Prof. Lamberton and Dr. Alonso had the opportunity to meet with key local figures, including the Director of the Hospital of Bafia, the sub-divisional Officer of the Bokito area, the School Inspector of Bokito, the Head of the CMA (health facility) of Bokito, and community agents. Additionally, they toured the rural primary schools of Yoro1 and Yoro2, further enriching their understanding of the local context and challenges. After their extensive and fruitful visit, Prof. Lamberton and Dr. Alonso flew back to London with prospects of new collaborative ventures with Cameroon researchers.