Awarding of the «Macky SALL Prize for Research», by CAMES to the «Thematic Research Programme - Health» (Ptrsanté), for its unifying project entitled «Atrican Lffe Story Of COVID-19 (Also-COVID19)» on June 26th, 2020

Context:

The world is currently experiencing an outbreak due to the new and mysterious SARS-Cov-2. There is not enough documented information regarding its source and transmission dynamics in different environments as well as drugs for its prevention and cure.

African populations are equally exposed to this virus and its spread across the continent continues. Various factors can influence this spread and make it difficult to fight without a better knowledge of the virus in its African context.
For example, CAMES did not remain on the sidelines of this disease by launching an appeal under the Macky Sall Prize to answer research questions proposed on the COVID19 pandemic of the disease by the various Thematic Research Programmes (Ptrs) of CAMES.

The members of the PTR-SANTE developed a project after consensus meetings called the African Life Story of COVID-19 (ALSO COVID19). This project is divided into 6 Work Packages (WP) and will take place in all the countries in the CAMES space that have the following objectives:

WP1: on the clinical, immunological and epidemiological aspects of COVID-19 in South Sahara Africa; coordinated by Associate Professor Safiatou NIARE DOUMBO, MD; PhD MRTC/FMOS/USTTB, Mali.

The overall objective of the work package is to assess the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 infection in Mali. Blood samples will be taken from COVID19 patients by a team set up within COVID19 case management services for immunological and molecular analyses.

Professor Safiatou Niaré Doumbo in the MRTC-Parasito team will work with all the services in charge and will ensure the connection with the health authorities of the country.

It ensures the establishment of clinical and biological research teams in Mali and in the countries of the CAMES space taking part in this project so will work with its team in synergy of action with all Wps in order to understand the natural history of the disease at COVID19. The other Wps deal successively with the following themes:

• WP2: the environmental, socio-demographic and economic determinants of COVID-19: Coordinated by Dr KEDOTE Nonvignon Marius, IRSP-University of Abomey Calavi, Benin.
• WP 3: genomics of SARS-Cov-2 Coordinated by Pr DJOGBENOU S. Luc, IRSP-University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin and Pr Athanase BADOLO Burkina Faso.
• WP4: on the monitoring of coronaviruses at the level of the various reservoir and intermediate hosts: Coordinated by Pr MAGANGA Gaël (Masuku University of Sciences and Techniques/ Interdisciplinary Center for Medical Research in Franceville, Gabon).
• WP 5: on data management: Coordinated by Professor SARR Idrissa; University of Thiès, Senegal.
• WP 6: on the coordination of the project: Coordinated by Pr. Jacques F Mavoungou coordinator of the PTR Health associated with Pr SARR Fatou Bintou; University of Thiès, Senegal.

We wish them well.