On the sidelines of World Meningitis Day, the “Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire” (CSRS) organized a webinar on October 3, 2025, on the theme “It’s time to act.” For Professor Inza Koné, Director General of the CSRS, this theme “appeals to the scientific community, because research is an essential lever in the fight against meningitis and represents a major step towards its eradication in Côte d'Ivoire and around the world.”

The webinar, moderated by Dr. Kanny Diallo, head of the CSRS meningitis research team, brought together high-level experts: Dr. André Bita, representative of the World Health Organization's (WHO AFRO) West Africa Office, Dr. Clarisse Kouamé from the Pasteur Institute of Côte d'Ivoire (IPCI), Dr. Félix Koffi from the National Institute of Public Health (INHP), and Emmanuella Boua, mother of a child living with the after-effects of meningitis.

The discussions focused on three main areas. First, the reality of the disease, which provided an alarming overview of the situation. The panelists reiterated that meningitis remains a public health emergency, with epidemics still frequent in several African countries. While progress has been made thanks to vaccination, vigilance remains essential.

Next, diagnosis and treatment, where discussions highlighted the need to strengthen local capacities and make early diagnosis more accessible, particularly in rural areas. The quality of medical and psychological care for survivors also emerged as a major issue.

Finally, strategies and actions in the field: participants called for better coordination between national and international actors, as well as a sustained commitment by states to vaccination and epidemiological surveillance. Emphasis was also placed on community communication and training for health personnel.

Dame Boua Emmanuella gave a human face to the struggle through her testimony: “I found it difficult to come to terms with the diagnosis, I refused to accept it and I became depressed. Abandoned by my daughter's father, I have been fighting alone for a year to provide her with extremely costly care,” she said. Her story served as a reminder that meningitis is not only a medical emergency, but also a social tragedy.

At the end of the webinar, the panelists unanimously called for increased awareness, improved early diagnosis and access to care, and greater mobilization of resources for effective collective action. This mobilization is part of a global effort led each year by the Confederation of Meningitis Organizations (CoMO), the main driver of international advocacy. The CSRS meningitis research team received financial support from this organization in 2024 to organize the Day in Côte d'Ivoire.

Cliquez sur le lien https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsFG347LLpg pour écouter l’intégralité du webinaire . 

Emmanuel Dabo/ASCA