On the occasion of World Day for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD), the Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), in partnership with the Gabonese Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, the ''Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM)'' of Hamburg, the University of Health Sciences (USS), the Centre International de Recherche Médicale de Franceville (CIRMF), and the National Scientific and Technological Research Center (CENAREST) held a scientific day on January 30, 2024 at the Hôtel Hibiscus Louis, Libreville.

The day began with an opening ceremony officiated by Dr. Jean Romain Mourou, representing the Minister of Health. Under the theme of the year "Unite, Act, Eliminate", the plenary session opened the debate on strategies to eradicate NTDs, followed by enriching exchanges between participants.

Discussions covered a wide range of NTDs, from loaosis to urogenital schistosomiasis, geohelminthiasis and trypanosomiasis, not forgetting the importance of vector control against vectors such as hematophagous flies in the transmission of arboviruses (dengue, chikungunya, etc.).

In parallel, on January 29, 2024, a screening campaign for sleeping sickness (human African trypanosomiasis, HAT) was launched in a suburb of Libreville by the Ministry of Health, revealing probable cases and underlining the need to intensify epidemiological surveillance.

The day's conclusions led to strategic resolutions aimed at strengthening collaboration between the various health players in Gabon to combat and, if possible, eliminate neglected tropical diseases.

We would like to express our gratitude to the organizing committee - Dr Josiane Honkpehedji, Dr Rella Zoleko Manego, Pr Ghyslain Mombo Ngoma, Pr Ayola Akim Adegnika, Mme Marisca Tsoni Malekou, as well as the CERMEL support teams, Dr Saskia Davy, Pr Michael Ramharter, M. Cédric Mbavu from BNITM, Pr Marielle Bouyou Akotet from USS, and Dr Julienne Atsame from the Ministry of Health, for their dedication and commitment to this vital cause.

Watch the video on YouTube