Burkina Faso research partnership with ANRS MIE
Key insights about the Burkina Faso research partnership
The Burkina Faso research partnership, spearheaded by the ANRS MIE, centers on two leading institutions: the Muraz Centre of the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) in Bobo-Dioulasso and the International Health Research Centre (CRIS/UO) at Joseph Ki-Zerbo University in Ouagadougou.
- Core stakeholders: Burkina Faso Ministry of Health, Muraz Centre/INSP, CRIS, PCCEI UMR 1058 Montpellier, French Embassy in Burkina Faso, ANRS MIE
- Primary initiatives: strengthening national and international collaborations, supporting young researchers, assisting Burkinabè teams in responding to project calls, and reinforcing the Muraz Centre/INSP and CRIS
- Research priorities: HIV, viral hepatitis, human papillomavirus, tuberculosis, Covid-19, arboviruses
In brief
Established
2001
Leaders
Dr Dramane Kania (Burkina Faso Coordinator), Prof. Nicolas Nagot (France Coordinator)
Partnership headquarters
Muraz Centre/INSP, Bobo-Dioulasso, and CRIS/UO, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Evolution of the Franco-Burkinabè partnership
The first Franco-Burkinabè collaborations in health research began in 1999. The partnership was formally established in 2001 and officially recognized in 2006 through a framework agreement between ANRS and the Ministry of Health, centered around the Muraz Centre in Bobo-Dioulasso.
Collaboration expanded to include the International Health Research Centre (CRIS/UO) at Joseph Ki-Zerbo University (UJKZ) in Ouagadougou. In recent years, the Burkina Faso research partnership has broadened its scope to include emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, adopting a One Health approach to address public health and scientific challenges in Burkina Faso and the region.
The Muraz Centre and CRIS
The Muraz Centre in Bobo-Dioulasso is a technical division of the National Institute of Public Health (INSP). Its missions include research, training, and expertise across four key areas: infectious diseases, epidemic-prone diseases, sexual and reproductive health, and health system policy and management. The Centre features a high-level technical laboratory for diagnosing and innovating infectious diseases, as well as a methodological and data management centre for research.
The International Health Research Centre (CRIS/UO) is a research and training entity within Joseph Ki-Zerbo University (UJKZ) in Ouagadougou. Its goal is to establish an international research platform for health at UJKZ and to train young health professionals in medical research. Research activities focus on HIV/AIDS and global health issues.
Milestones in the Franco-Burkinabè collaboration
Partnership governance and collaborators
Burkina Faso Coordinator: Dr Dramane Kania
Muraz Centre/INSP, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
France Coordinator: Prof. Nicolas Nagot
PCCEI/UMR1058, Inserm, EFS, University of Montpellier, University of the French West Indies, France
Deputy Coordinator: Dr Désiré Dahourou
Institute for Health Sciences Research (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
Honorary Coordinator: Prof. Nicolas Meda
CRIS/UO, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Key activities of the Burkina Faso research partnership
- Collaboration with patient associations, health system actors, and policymakers to facilitate knowledge production and transfer during new research projects
- Scientific engagement: organizing exchange days with researchers and health professionals on Burkina Faso and regional priorities
- Expanding and strengthening collaborations at national (IRSS Nanoro, Nouna, CNRFP, CORUS, LCR, ONSP, etc.), regional, and international levels with ANRS MIE partners, WHO, and others
- Continuing training and capacity-building for young researchers and teams (project writing, policy notes, knowledge transfer, article drafting)
- Supporting Burkinabè research teams in responding to project calls and implementing new initiatives
- Enhancing the Muraz Centre/INSP’s technical capabilities to maintain high-quality research and upgrading CRIS infrastructure to support research coordination
Evolving research focus
HIV, STIs, and co-infections with tuberculosis and viral hepatitis
Since the 1990s, Franco-Burkinabè health research collaborations have focused on HIV prevention, diagnosis, and care. Clinical trials have addressed mother-to-child transmission prevention (Kesho-Bora, Promise PEP, PREVENIR PEV, TRI MOM); treatment adherence and antiretroviral therapies (THILAO, MOBIDIP, 2LADY); and tuberculosis diagnosis in children living with HIV (PAANTHER).
Research on HIV and STI prevention in key populations (Yérelon cohorts for sex workers and CohMSM for MSM) has evaluated the feasibility and operational effectiveness of behavioral and biomedical strategies. Social sciences have explored the experiences of people living with HIV and access to care for women living with HIV. Biological research has analyzed HIV transmission (sexual and mother-to-child), treatment resistance, viral genetic diversity, and the impact of HIV-tuberculosis co-infection.
Studies on viral hepatitis revealed high prevalence of HBV and HCV with heterogeneous distribution in the country, leading to targeted intervention strategies (REVERSO).
Research on emerging infectious diseases (EID)
More recent research includes arboviruses (ARBOFASO) and Covid-19, with studies evaluating treatments (COVERAGE Africa), diagnostics, understanding, and impact of the virus using a One Health approach.
Current research priorities
Research activities supported by the Burkina Faso research partnership and its collaborators focus on HIV, viral hepatitis, human papillomavirus (HPV), tuberculosis, Covid-19, and arboviruses. Key research domains include innovation, diagnostics, clinical research, fundamental research, public health, and social sciences. Specific areas include:
- Clinical research: therapeutic simplification strategies, cervical cancer diagnosis and care for people living with HIV, treatment of emerging diseases (Covid-19), diagnostic innovation (HBV)
- HIV across the lifespan: mother-to-child HIV transmission prevention, adolescence and transition to adulthood, aging
- Vulnerable populations: MSM*, sex workers, street children, drug users
- Hepatitis: epidemiology of hepatitis C and E, environmental impact (HBV and aflatoxin)
- Quadruple elimination of mother-to-child transmission (HIV, HBV, syphilis, Chagas disease)
- Emerging infectious diseases: dengue and other arboviruses, Covid-19, and epidemic preparedness
* Men who have sex with men
** Pre-exposure prophylaxis
*** Sexually transmitted infections
Impact of the Burkina Faso research partnership
The partnership has strengthened the research capabilities of the Muraz Centre and other Burkinabè research teams, fostering scientific innovation, training young researchers, developing health policies, and supporting community engagement.
The partnership has strengthened the Muraz Centre, leading to its national recognition and integration in 2018 as a technical research division of the National Institute of Public Health (INSP). ANRS MIE supported its equipment, including a cohort reception facility, a P2 molecular virology laboratory, an immunology laboratory, and a computing centre.
In 2021, thanks to the Burkina Faso research partnership, the Muraz Centre joined the AFROSCREEN network for SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogen variant sequencing, with the installation of a genomics platform and acquisition of an Illumina MiniSeq sequencer.
The partnership also facilitated the creation of CRIS/UO, enhancing research coordination in Ouagadougou. Collaboration with Nazi Boni University (UNB) and UJKZ supports the training of master’s and PhD students, fostering the emergence of young researchers who lead research and shape health policies on infectious diseases in Burkina Faso.
Associated researchers contribute to national and international technical groups, including the National SARS-CoV-2 variant surveillance committees and HIV testing algorithm validation groups, as well as WHO advisory groups on HIV/hepatitis/STI therapies and breastfeeding.
The partnership also supports associations and community committees engaged in the fight against HIV and viral hepatitis in Burkina Faso. These actors contribute to scientific engagement and research projects, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Despite geopolitical challenges, the Burkina Faso research partnership continues to unite research actors, promote conducted research, and explore new perspectives for Burkina Faso and the region.
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