Francis Ntoumi is the President of the Congolese Foundation for Medical Research (FCRM), whom she has established; in November 2008. This structure established the first laboratory of molecular biology in universities in the Republic of Congo. She is a Professor of Epidemiological Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases. Institute of Tropical Medicine of the University of Tübingen in Germany and head of the Centre for Infectious Disease Research-Christophe Méacutes (CerMI-CM) Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.
The renowned molecular biologist, Francine Ntoumi, is well-known for her scientific work on infectious diseases and all aspects of malaria and her advocacy for a greater presence of women in science in Africa. Francine Ntoumi is very committed to building capacity for health research; on the African continent. This commitment has resulted in the coordination of the Central African Regional Clinical Research Network (CANTAM, https://cantam.net/en/) and the Pan-African Network (ttps://pandora.tghn.org) for the prevention and response of countries to the epidemics of infectious diseases involving more than 20 partners. Francis Ntoumi is a member of many international scientific committees (WHO, Africa-CDC, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, M&E Foundation) and is the Chair of the Scientific Council of Canada. Research Institute for Development (France). She is also a member of the World Science and Science Academy. In 2014, she initiated; Programme Women and Science to encourage girls to engage in scientific research. Its leitmotiv: Doing research is an ambitious goal. In recognition of his efforts at à Dr. Ntoumi has received numerous national and international awards, including the prestigious Kwame Nkrumah Regional Science Award for Research in Africa and in her advocacy for a significant presence in science. African Union for Women (2012), the Georg Forster Award (Germany, 2015), the Christophe Méacute;rieux Award (France, 2016), the Méacute dâEUR(TM)squéal dâEUR(TM)squéal dâEUR(TM)squéal de la recherche scientifique (2016) and the German Federal Cross of the Méacute;rite (2022). She's been working on it. recognized as an officer of the Congolese military (2022) and in August 2023, she was a member of the Commission. recognized Champion of Health; the World Health Organization. In his country, the Congo, no Congolese man, also graduated; academies, however, have still obtained such international distinctions from the Community; global science.
Francine Ntoumi is also responsible for the Peace and Security Pillar; in the Network of African Women Leaders (AWLN) of the Republic of Congo. It is very active and has signed; a declaration of support for women in the face of violence; the security situation Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Much more recently, the President of the Congolese Foundation for Medical Research participated; à the 2nd edition of the Paris Saclay Summit, held on 12 and 13 February 2025. Organized by the magazine Le Point, the R&E region of France, the Agglomeration Paris-Saclay and the Department of Education, this international event brings together experts and policy makers around major scientific and technological advances. This meeting was a meeting of a privileged opportunity to exchange on innovations that transform research and development. It also allowed for the discussion of strategic funding and policy issues. scientific autonomy of emerging countries.
In this context, a call was made. the time frame; in favour of greater commitment by African countries to funding their own research. It is essential that the continent go beyond the logic of dependence to build a self-sustaining and academic model. Africa has the skills and potential to invest in its capacity to innovate and respond effectively. Health and development issues. This vision is part of a dynamic approach aimed at: strengthen the sovereignty; continent science and à promote research carried out through endogenous funding. Ambition must be at the heart of this transformation in order to ensure a secure future; Africa will be fully involved in its scientific and technological progress.

Does the fight against HIV and INFECTIOUS DISEASES APPEAR TO THE PASS ?

Paneacute;List at the Paris-Saclay Summit, it began; a subject that holds it à the fight against HIV and infectious diseases, is it part of the past?? A real subject of actuality. In the following lines, this Congolese scientist, a student of diplomas, who looks at viruses, bacteria and especially parasites to better combat them, gives her perspective. Francine Ntoumi is interviewed by Fabrice Dupreuilh, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Le Point magazine. Text how it is by Dr. Batungassana.

strong>FABRICE DUPRUILH: What are the world's most common and preoccupied infectious diseases today? FRANCINE NTOUMI: The most prevalent infectious diseases in the world are, without surprise, malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. HIV/AIDS now has 40 million infected people around the world and 63,000 people have died of HIV/AIDS disease; malaria: 268 million cases worldwide have been reported; and caused 638.000 deaths. 94% of malaria cases in 2024 occurred in tropical areas of Africa. And for tuberculosis, the number of people living with the disease is 10.8 million and 1.3 million. It is therefore the diseases that kill the most seriously.
In September 2021, the former Executive Director of the Global Fund declared that: the Covid-19 had had a devastating impact on the on combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. Would you say that the Covid-19 actually slowed down the work that was done? and should be done on all three diseases;?
Covid-19 had a significant negative impact on all three diseases. The Covid-19 seriously disrupted; access to health systems, testing/diagnosis and treatment in many countries. The supply of active resources in health centres; It was difficult because many of the active ingredients are imported, and of course, access to drugs, tuberculosis and antimalarial drugs is difficult due to the limited local locations. We have therefore seen in the fight against these three diseases a certain reduction in its impact in all countries of the world in general, and much more in Africa, in particular. The work that has been done Could Covid-19 have helped in a positive way in other disease research?
Absolutely. I smile because in 2020, when I saw all the funding that was available in Covid-19 research, and I had never seen such a mobilization in my career, I had a stroke of blues. I then wrote a provocative article in the prestigious journal. Nature : & laquo; What if tropical diseases benefit from as much attention as VOCID? But what are the consequences of Covid-19 research? MRNA vaccines have made progress not only for Covid-19, but also for other diseases such as ougravian malaria; There's a mRNA vaccine trail. Funding to improve the technical trays for the VOCID work has been used for tuberculosis, and other diseases, for example, for pathogen disease. I forgot about the fact and the multiplication of scientific exchanges. virtual platforms (Zoom, Skype, Teams, …). The research had been completed boost an ineacute level.
Have you heard about this work that has taken place? What is it? fact ?
As I have just said, during the VOCID, scientists have never spoken so much. We've never been so involved. our knowledge without any restrictions, without any frontiers. And for me, it was a very big thing: knowledge sharing and, above all, data sharing. Effective. Does the fight against HIV/AIDS and infectious diseases belong to the past;? We imagine that the answer is certainly no. We know that today many progress has been made. This is particularly true in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Do you have a positive and optimistic message about these diseases today?
Science is progressing. In many clinical trials in Africa, understanding these three infectious diseases is much more important today than ever before and allows us to imagine specific and original solutions or interventions. For example, for HIV/AIDS in PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis), knowledge of prevention HIV exposure, such as injection therapy (twice a year), but with 100% protection is a great tool. But for the time being, this pre-emptive treatment is still too expensive. It is expected that electronics will be available in a timely manner; so that our populations can benefit. This is a good example. And in malaria, there are also advances in insecticides, etc. In speaking of PrEP, we have the impression that these advances represent a serious threat to a population that would ultimately feel that it is now protected and that it no longer needs protection for these diseases. It is true that today, unfortunately, the media speak much less about HIV/AIDS. We have the impression that this disease is commonplace. And young people feel that this disease is no longer a serious problem. The latest UNAIDS report shows that the rate of new infections is increasing. Therefore, the prevention messages must be completely renewed. To make it clear that practitioners and practitioners for those who are more exposed must be implemented.
The WHO report is published; late 2024, shows that the use of condoms among sexually active youth has significantly decreased; Since 2014, and non-protective sex rates have been worrying especially in Europe for 10 years. This report indicates a decrease in the use of pre-servatives between 2014 and 2022. The proportion of sexually active adolescents who have used one practice at their last sexual intercourse is 70 61% in males and 63 57% of girls. What is the à work do today in terms of prevention ? Who should be contacted for these prevention campaigns? Who should they really target?
In Congo, with 4.5% prevalence, girls and women are much more infectious than men. The most affected age group is between 15 and 25. We are today the Internet and social networks. These are tools that young people commonly use. They must therefore be used to communicate better. Unfortunately, in this struggle we are left with the old tools that are no longer adapted. So we need to renew the messages and adapt them to faccedil; mobilising this portion of the population that they take advantage of, because one can live with this infection for a long time, whether HIV/AIDS or other diseases that can be prevented. Prevention is worth prevention.
Let's take a look at malaria, an area in which you work a lot. For those who know the disease, how are malaria parasites transmitted?
Malaria is one of the oldest diseases in the world. How is this parasite transmitted? By mosquitoes. Infective female mosquitoes are the route of transmission of the disease. the man. In fact, the female pricks for food. She needs blood for her eggs. In return for our blood gain, she pays us by injecting us some small parasites, plasmodia. These parasites go straight into the liver. When the parasites are in the liver, there is no disease and it is not known that the parasites are infectious. Then, after a haeacute patic multiplication, parasites are released into the bloodstream and enter the red blood cells; They will multiply for about two days and then the red blood cells will increase and release thousands of parasites in the bloodstream. And the cycle of red blood cell re-infection continues (entry-multiplication-eclamation of red blood cells and release of new parasites). The infectious individual; the symptoms of the disease. The first common symptoms of malaria are fever, disease and chills. They appear generally in the 7 10 days following the occurrence of an infectious mosquito. Can the development of malaria vaccines make it possible to Africa to Eliminate Disease in Africa 2030? What can be expected of the two WHO-qualified vaccines?
Malaria is one of the most serious health threats. à Global scale, with approximately 268 million cases of malaria and 638,000 deaths; world, 95 per cent in Africa. On this continent, malaria is among the leading causes of death; in young children, with half a million children under the age of five losing their lives each year. The STR, S, and Eacute malaria vaccine also known as Mosquirix and R21, the second recommended malaria vaccine; by WHO, both target the most deadly parasite Plasmodium falciparum. The fact that there are now two vaccines is expected to contribute significantly to progress in the fight against this disease. WHO pre-decided: There is no evidence today that a vaccine is more effective than the other vaccine. The à product selection use in a country should be based on programmatic characteristics, availability; vaccines and their accessibility; financial interest rate However, both vaccines are not yet the solution. miracle expected. Because of its low efficiency; In the long term, the weight will have to continue. make their children sleep under an impregnated insecticide net, by far the most effective tool. That day. These vaccines are therefore added to the list. the arsenal of control of impregnated nets, insecticides, rapid diagnostic tests and medicines. À its deployment in Africa, it is in progress. The second term of Donald Trump à The U.S. Presidency is opening up a period of upheavals in international relations that have little history. Health global is one of the areas that have been start; à suffering terribly from the new US policy. The decisions made with respect to the U.S. International Development Agency (USAID) and the WHO are just one aspect of the drama that has been announced for millions of people around the world. The country finances the institution with at least 20% of its budget, not to mention the decision to temporarily suspend funding for the PIPSAR (Pre-Sidential Emergency Plan for AIDS). These disruptions will result in life and loss of life. not having an impact in the fight against AIDS. In terms of funding, are there any real reasons today to be concerned about this state of fact?
This question is very important. I recently read an article in the Nature of a South African researcher who said that cuts in the U.S. budget are an opportune opportunity; to review and imagine health; overall. I fully agree with her opinion and her reflection. Why? I consider this to be an opportunity; for countries receiving this assistance, including many countries in Africa to review their priorities in terms of health financing. But was it clear that the United States would support us on a permanent basis? I don't think so. In Africa, an expression that says that the hand that gives is always above the hand that receives it. So when you give, it's for a time and you have to be conscious. As an African scientist, I work primarily with funding from outside the continent (extra-mural) because unfortunately, our countries do not provide the budgets necessary to conduct research that is necessary and adapted for countries. I am a graduate, but my career, my passion, and my passion for science, I am happy to receive international grants. But I would be much happier if I could have those subsidies from my country or African governments. It's really time we took care of our health problems. Among the priority issues is the production of drugs on the continent? I know that this is a subject that holds you c&elig;ur…
Indeed, the past half of VOCID-19 carried us away. many lessons learned. Countries have shown solidarity; countries have relied on their own human and material resources to meet the needs of the population. When 98% of your needs are imported, the closed borders leave you with a bitter taste. The sentence. There is no need to develop the pharmaceutical industry on the continent to produce pharmaceutical and diagnostic products. affordable co-op and facilitate access these products. A word à the place of young people who would like to follow your steps, Professor & Shelip;
For young people in general, we are in a period of great economic, financial and cultural transformation. this transformation into you forming.
To women, be ambitious regardless of the disciplines in which you work. Make the sky the limit of your ambitions.  
On your Facebook page, you have one day written: Don't set limits. You can accomplish everything, just want it. Who are you calling? And this will be the word of the end of the "strong" For all young people, regardless of gender or race, it is the first step towards success