The document, signed by Dr. Cesare Zucconi, Secretary General of the Community of Sant’Egidio, and Dr. Angelo Aliquò, Director of Spallanzani, formalizes a series of significant cooperative initiatives between the two entities.

These initiatives include, among others, clinical research in the field of infectious diseases, training programs for local healthcare personnel in Africa and at Spallanzani, and within the scope of the DREAM Program of the Community of Sant’Egidio, which has been operating in 10 African countries for over 20 years with 50 health centers and 28 molecular biology laboratories.

Furthermore, the collaboration is strengthened for vulnerable populations in Italy, through the identification of dedicated diagnostic therapeutic pathways.

Dr. Giovanni Guidotti, Secretary General of the DREAM Program, emphasized in the introductory greeting that, “This significant step further brings INMI and the Community of Sant’Egidio together in the fight against infectious diseases globally, with the common goal of improving patients’ health and well-being. The collaboration is anticipated to be very important and offers new perspectives in the research and management of emerging infectious diseases in Africa. The collaboration with Spallanzani is a source of pride for the DREAM Program, bringing in substantial funds and significant results in research and clinical practice.”

Thanks to this agreement, INMI will enable its medical staff to undertake voluntary missions in Africa at DREAM facilities and centers. Simultaneously, the Program will ensure access to its centers for synergistic collaboration.

During the signing, the Secretary General of the Community of Sant’Egidio-ACAP, Dr. Cesare Zucconi, expressed the hope of creating a network from this agreement, stating, “Today, it is essential to cooperate and work together to address the challenges of a complex world. We are forming an alliance between Italian excellences that I am confident will yield great outcomes for free and universal access to healthcare.”

For Antinori, Director of the U.O.C. Viral Immunodeficiencies, “This collaboration is fundamental for us. Based on strong international solidarity, the Community of Sant’Egidio has managed to build the largest non-governmental program for access to anti-HIV therapy in Africa, a model of humanitarian and medical intervention and cooperation. It will be an honor for us to participate in the DREAM Program and provide the support of a Scientific and Research Institute to reaffirm the social vocation of infectiology and the connection between infectious diseases and poverty.”

The designated officials responsible for managing the activities are Dr. Giovanni Guidotti for the Community of Sant’Egidio and Dr. Andrea Antinori, Director of the U.O.C. Viral Immunodeficiencies, for INMI.