The event was organized by UGANC’s African Center of Excellence for the Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases (CEA-PCMT), in collaboration with the University of Rome Tor Vergata and with the support of the Italian Embassy in Guinea. This initiative is part of the broader cooperation between Italy and Guinea, aimed at tackling health challenges through an integrated approach that combines research, training, and healthcare services.

At the heart of the day was the presentation of the project “Improvement and Integration of Health Services for the Fight Against HIV and Co-Morbidities in Guinea,” a major initiative funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), with the University of Tor Vergata as lead partner and with the participation of the DREAM Program of the Community of Sant’Egidio.

The project aims to strengthen Guinea’s healthcare network in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and human papillomavirus (HPV), with particular attention to the most vulnerable segments of the population. Planned activities include training healthcare personnel, enhancing molecular biology laboratories in Conakry and Macenta, and conducting awareness and prevention campaigns targeting local communities.

Spanning 36 months, the project is expected to directly benefit over 18,000 individuals, with a structural impact designed to reinforce the sustainability of the local healthcare system.

In an interview at the conference, Cristina Cannelli, national coordinator of the DREAM Program in Guinea, emphasized how this project represents a natural continuation of a long-standing commitment: “This is another step in our work alongside the Guinean population, which began nearly twenty years ago. DREAM is not a short-term project but a comprehensive program that supports people with HIV throughout their entire treatment journey, focusing on training local healthcare workers and strengthening the health system. For us, it is essential that cooperation and research remain closely aligned with the real needs of communities.”

Stefano Gatti, Director General for Development Cooperation at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also highlighted the strategic significance of this initiative during his speech: “Today, Guinea is a priority country for Italian cooperation in Africa. This project goes beyond a simple health intervention: it is a tangible example of our commitment to shared development, where health is recognized and supported as a fundamental right.”

Present in Guinea since 2006, the DREAM Program of the Community of Sant’Egidio has over time built a network of treatment centers and specialized laboratories, providing free diagnosis and therapy for people affected by HIV and other infectious diseases. Today, DREAM assists around 4,800 patients through its facilities in Conakry, Coyah, Dubréka, and soon, Macenta as well.

This new project thus represents a natural continuation of this work: combining the strength of field experience with the support of international cooperation to meet new health challenges with modern and sustainable tools.