Research, innovation and South-South cooperation: the main axes of the debates
The closing conference, focused on “South-South Relations: African Academy of Sciences and Health: a strategic lever for research, innovation and training on the continent”, marked the end of this event which brought together a host of medical professionals including doctors, researchers and experts from various disciplines.
For two days, wide-ranging exchanges and debates enriched the participants, under the honorary presidency of Professor Lahcen Belyamani.
Opening on Friday, February 6, the 41st National Congress of the SMSM proposed several activities promoting the sharing of expertise and the emergence of concrete avenues for improving the health system.
Strategic issues for Morocco and Africa
This edition, co-chaired by Dr Moulay Said Afif and Professor Mohamed Adnaoui, was punctuated by conferences, symposia, round tables, workshops and scientific communications nourishing in-depth reflections around major and current medical themes.
The participants notably debated issues related to “Maternal and child health»through the promotion of maternal and neonatal health and vaccination programs and strengthening immunization.
Discussions also focused on “Equitable access to medicines and health products»with a focus on the availability of essential medicines and the strengthening of the national pharmaceutical industry, a pillar of health sovereignty.
The “Health and innovation” section» highlighted the state of play and the future prospects of robotic surgery in Morocco and artificial intelligence in the service of health.
“South-South international cooperation» has occupied a central place, notably through the role of the African Academy of Sciences and Health as a strategic lever for research, innovation and training on the continent.
Other essential themes were addressed, notably “School health and child development»with the strengthening of school health as a key factor in educational success.
As well as “Medical training and human capital»around the reform of basic medical training and the specialization cycle and the mobilization of the Moroccan medical diaspora in the service of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Note that three prestigious prizes were awarded at the end of the first day of the congress in which around fifty medical societies also took part.
Thus, the “Research Prize for the intern and resident Pr Moulay Ahmed Iraqi”, worth 25,000 dirhams, was awarded to Dr Abdelhaq Barbach for his work entitled “Design and development of a personalized device assisted by artificial intelligence for the therapeutic education of patients with gestational diabetes in Morocco” as well as to Dr Sara Messaoud for her study “Knowledge, attitudes and practices of Moroccan Doctors Regarding the needs of elderly people for assistance and support: A pilot cross-sectional study”.
Newly created, the “Prof. Abdellatif Berbich African Medicine Research PRIZE”, endowed with 60,000 DH, was awarded to Professor Lekehal Brahim for his work entitled “An innovative interdisciplinary approach to kidney transplantation in Morocco “mixed team”: experience of two centers and contribution to the broadening of eligibility criteria in Africa”.
Alain Bouithy
