Fiocruz participates in meeting in Cali to strengthen TGHN LAC partnerships
Fiocruz was represented by the coordinator of the Scientific Computing Program (PROCC), Ernesto Caffarena, PROCC researcher Marcelo Gomes, and the data coordinator of The Global Health Network Latin America and the Caribbean (THGN LAC), Larissa Marques, during the TGHN LAC consortium meeting held on March 14th and 15th at the School of Public Health of the Faculty of Health at the University of Valle in Cali, Colombia.
The consortium, composed of Fiocruz (Brazil), the Institute of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Antonio Vidal (Honduras), Cayetano Heredia Peruvian University (Peru), the host University of Valle (Colombia), the Institute of Clinical and Sanitary Effectiveness (Argentina), the University of Oxford (United Kingdom), and the Etikos Foundation (Dominican Republic), aims to promote the development of capacities to assist healthcare professionals in improving their skills and knowledge in health research.
Brainstorming innovative health ideas
On the first day, the consortium team gathered to develop the integrated work plan. Researchers emphasised the need for an interdisciplinary and innovative approach in the health sector to support professionals and researchers within Latin America and the Caribbean and share their experiences with other regions of the globe.
"During the idea-sharing process, researchers were able to strengthen bonds between participants. We identified new opportunities for collaboration and research," commented Ernesto.
Coffee with experts
On the second day, each researcher met with a group of postgraduate students and researchers from the host university in the so-called Coffee with Experts session. "It was a special moment, a relaxed atmosphere conducive to establishing collaborations and exchanging experiences amongst participants over breakfast," explained Ernesto.
Pathfinder in Latin America and the Caribbean
Still on the second day, Larissa presented the Pathfinder Vaccine Tide and Pathfinder Born in Brazil II studies, highlighting the potential of process mapping methodology to identify barriers and solutions encountered during the research cycle to share best practices with other studies. Marcelo emphasized the importance of developing Pathfinder studies with InfoDengue and Infogrip due to the potential of these two projects to generate new insights.
PROCC researchers facilitated the planning and closing sessions of the event. The data coordinator met in person with project managers from different centres, and together they were able to understand the next steps in project execution.
Stay informed about courses, webinars, and other activities of TGHN LAC, register here.