What makes a partnership thrive? Communication and collaboration, for starters. That was certainly our thinking when we decided to hold a co-creation session in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR), in mid-September. This was our chance to engage openly with regional partners agues on their home turf in order to foster an environment of mutual understanding.
Our project in CAR, funded by the Global Fund and conducted in collaboration with the Red Cross, the Ministry of Public Health, and World Vision, aims to bolster the National Tuberculosis Project (NTP) through our AI-powered platform. This initiative seeks to enhance TB case detection, reduce transmission, and streamline the NTP’s operations. Local healthcare providers will gain access to predictive tools for identifying TB hotspots, aiding in micro planning and enabling real-time visualisation for informed decision-making.
To give the project its best chance of success, our CEO, Caroline Van Cauwelaert, and founder, Vincent Meurrens, spent three days in Bangui meeting with local delegates and stakeholders.
Engaging local voices
Given the diverse cultural and linguistic contexts, resource limitations, and the complex political landscape, securing local stakeholder engagement was crucial. To achieve this, we structured our workshop into several key sections spread across three days:
Day one kicked off with a detailed presentation of our digital solution, drawing on examples from other countries. The fifteen attendees had a chance to see the range of applications available, followed by practical, hands-on exercises using the platform. Participants learned how to identify vulnerable population groups in various provinces, allowing them to get familiar with the system and its functionalities.
Day two was all about listening. The participants shared their on-the-ground experiences, offering us invaluable insights into their processes. From organising TB screening activities to navigating complex issues like resource allocation, data collection challenges, and community engagement, this was where we truly came to grips with the realities they face.
Day three brought it all together. We focused on how to tailor our platform to meet the specific needs of this project. Collaboration was the driving force — our success depends on working hand-in-hand with the local team.
Dynamic and positive energy
Reflecting on the past three days, the atmosphere was overwhelmingly positive. We are eager to leverage our Epi-control platform to enhance TB detection and care in the Central African Republic. With such a promising start, we are confident this project will make a lasting impact in the region.
