October 20, 2025

Promising Progress Through the PIDetect Programme 2024 during 2025

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As part of the PIDetect Programme, an IPOPI international programme aimed at improving low Primary Immunodeficiency (PID) diagnostic rates in developing countries by training healthcare professionals at PID centres under expert supervision, several awareness and training activities were recently carried out successfully in Mali.

In the first part of the 2024 programme, Dr Kalirou Traoré and Dr Karamoko Tangara, from Mali, underwent a 7-week training in Morocco under the guidance of Prof Aziz Bousfiha and his expert team at the Children’s Hospital, Ibn Rochd University Hospital in Casablanca, Morocco. In this training, the two doctors visited the paediatric departments and immunology laboratories and received clinical training focusing on the diagnosis of PIDs and appropriate disease management in daily practice.

The second part of the 2024 programme was carried out in 2025. Under the coordination of Dr Kalirou Traoré and supervision of Prof Abdoul Aziz Diakite, training and sensitisation sessions were organised in Ségou, Bamako, and Sikasso, bringing together more than 160 physicians from various specialities. Additionally, a national webinar was held, gathering over a hundred paediatricians from across the country. These trainings helped strengthen knowledge on PID warning signs and management while generating strong interest among healthcare professionals to continue such initiatives.

Participants expressed a desire to expand training opportunities, particularly in rural areas, to reach frontline healthcare workers who are often the first point of contact for patients. Looking ahead, key priorities include establishing a national PID registry, developing local and national care networks, and supporting the creation of a patient association to bring families together.

These achievements mark an important milestone in improving PID care in Mali. Thanks to the dedication of healthcare professionals and the support of the PIDetect Programme, the foundation is now set to raise awareness, strengthen early diagnosis, and empower patients and their families to make their voices heard.

These programmes were made possible thanks to the support of Grifols and Takeda.