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Course . Diagnosis & surveillance

5th Advanced Course on Diagnostics in French-speaking Africa (Afro-ACDx)

Co-organized by Mérieux Foundation & Institut Pasteur of Dakar

October 19 - 24, 2025

Saly . Senegal

Context

Since 2021, the Mérieux Fondation and the Institute Pasteur of Dakar organized the Advanced Course on Diagnostics in French on the African continent (Afro-ACDx). The course makes the link between the international ACDx course, held each year in English at Les Pensières Center for Global Health, Veyrier-du-Lac,France, and the GLLP learning programme (Global Laboratory Leadership Programme1) which offers a training module on leadership skills.

Participants in discussion sitting around a table during the 3rd Advanced Course on Diagnostics in French-speaking Africa (Afro-ACDx).

This year, the 5th edition is organized from October 19 to October 25 in Saly (Senegal).

Objectives

  • Strengthen leadership and laboratory management skills.
  • Promote the strategic role of diagnostics in human and animal health to fight against AMR and in the outbreak management, taking into account the challenges to give access to quality diagnostics to everyone.
  • Foster collaboration among regional institutions.

Audience

French-speaking professionals in leadership roles in the field of diagnostics:

  • Laboratory directors or managers
  • Decision-makers responsible for coordinating laboratories within national institutions or Ministries of Health

The course programme and the selection of participants are under the responsibility of a Scientific Committee represented by the most important institutions involved in diagnostics in Africa: World Health Organization (WHO), WHO/AFRO, Africa CDC, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Institut National de la Recherche Biomédicale (INRB), Institut Pasteur, and University Félix Houphouet Boigny in Abidjan.

To create an alumni community, a connection is established between the participants from each edition of the course. Participants from previous years are invited to share what they have implemented in terms of organisation in their laboratory or team management following the Afro-ACDx course along with advanced leadership training.

1This programme has been developed by six organizations: APHL : Association of Public Health Laboratories, CDC : Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ECDC : European Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, FAO : Food and Agriculture Organization, OIE : World Organization for Animal Health, WHO : World Health Organization.

Course fees

Accommodation

All participants (including three meals a day for the duration of the course): €1,300*

Registration

  • Participants from public or private laboratories and from government institutions: €1,500*
  • Participants from sponsoring industries: €2,500*
  • Other industry participants: €4,500*

*VAT included. All fees are due in full to confirm participation. Additional accommodation fees will apply for days beyond the course.

Documents