We’Search
Strengthening health research in the PALOP countries
Since 2015, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and the “la Caixa” Foundation have been collaborating on health research in the PALOP countries. By the end of 2022, they had signed a collaboration protocol with the aim of developing a programme to encourage the countries’ scientific communities to carry out research projects that contribute to improving healthcare provision.
This is how the We’Search programme was born, a call to strengthen scientific institutions through clinical research projects in Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP), and which supports the participation of researchers in international congresses.
Support for clinical research projects in the PALOP countries
PROJECTS |
Date |
|---|---|
|
Upgrading of equipment and implementation of advanced techniques in the recent Molecular Biology Laboratory of the Agostinho Neto University Hospital, such as genetic testing, to support and guide therapeutic decisions, personalised treatment and monitoring in Cape Verdean cancer patients. Location: Cape Verde |
since 2022 |
|
New treatment strategy against malaria, one of the diseases with the highest mortality rate in Africa. Location: Angola |
since 2022 |
|
Strengthening knowledge, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases (such as asthma or allergic rhinitis) in Cape Verdean children. Location: Cape Verde |
since 2022 |
|
Search for alternative methods of diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in places with few resources, through testing with the GeneXpert system, which is more widely accessible in African hospitals. Location: Mozambique |
since 2022 |
|
Monitoring and treatment of Sickle Cell Disease in pregnant women, with the aim of contributing to the reduction of maternal and infant mortality in the country. Location: Angola |
since 2022 |
Grants for attending congresses
Following an open call for applications, 7 grants were awarded to PALOP researchers – graduates of the Science Management courses and/or leaders of research projects funded by both foundations – to take part in international congresses in 2024.
Other projects receiving support
In the context of a call for applications launched in 2021 to support health research projects aimed at scientific institutions in the PALOP countries, whose researchers took part in the three editions of the Science Management course, organised as part of a partnership between the FCG and the “la Caixa” Foundation.
PROJECTS |
Date |
|---|---|
|
Location: Angola |
since 2022 |
|
Location: Mozambique |
since 2022 |
|
Location: Cape Verde |
since 2022 |
