The ACTION BIOMALI programme, co-financed by the European Commission and established in 2005 by Fondation Mérieux, had the general objective of increasing screening and aftercare for those affected by HIV / AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in Mali and the surrounding areas, through the strengthening of local biological capacities.
Within the framework of this project, an analysis of the situations of Malian laboratories was carried out revealing an urgent need for complementary training courses alongside those already set up by national programmes, to better train health professionals in the fight against infectious diseases.
A set of short training courses, drawn up by the Health Minister of Mali, was therefore created. These courses were structured around 5 teaching modules aimed at more than 240 national professionals from both the private and public sectors: head doctors, leaders of regional and national analytical laboratories, laboratory technicians.
The main actions of the programme were as follows:
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to create a network of laboratories by strengthening existing capacities;
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to integrate the programme into a global approach to health care;
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to put in place an efficient and high quality data collection system in the field of biological diagnosis;
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to broadcast the methodology and results of the programme.
Today, 73 of the network's laboratories were equipped with analytical and environmental equipment, as well as smaller pieces of apparatus and consumables. 82 laboratories were involved in the development of the programme.
More than 350 health professionals have been trained since the programme was launched in 2005:
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through training courses ending in qualifications (Quality Assurance, HIV / AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria);
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within the framework of BAMS (Bachelors Degree in Applied Medical Biology);
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through partnership with the Rodolphe Mérieux Laboratory in Bamako.
With a view to harmonizing scientific practices, a Guide to the Correct Execution of Biomedical Analysis was written up and established by the Health Minister on the 2 April 2009 in all the biomedical analysis laboratories in Mali.
The creation of an External Quality Evaluation Unit at the heart of the National Research Institute for Public Health began in September 2009. This laboratory will allow the evaluation and assurance of the quality of the results produced by the medical analysis laboratories of Mali and distributed to patients.
An awareness campaign was launched by ACTION BIOMALI in Mali and in the sub-region in order to broadcast information to its target group and the laboratory network.
The ACTION BIOMALI programme ended at the end of 2009; the RESAOLAB project has continued its work, benefitting from the experience of its predecessor.
