A delegation of five scientists from the consortium Afrique One, based at the Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire, took part in the 2nd World Health Organization Global Conference on Neglected Tropical Diseases (#NTDs) held in Geneva from March 24–26, 2025. The delegation was led by Professor Bassirou Bonfoh, Director of Afrique One.

Afrique One presented three scientific contributions during the conference (1 oral presentation and 2 posters), emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary and integrated approach to managing skin-related NTDs. The consortium reiterated its call for early wound care at the community level.

Since 2019, Afrique One has been implementing a project involving local communities and multiple stakeholders to enhance early detection and treatment of #Buruliulcer, integrating disciplines such as epidemiology, sociology, economics, and nutrition.

Key findings from the project demonstrate that early community-based wound care:
✅ Enables significant long-term cost savings
✅ Is feasible through cost-sharing and stakeholder collaboration
✅ Led by community health workers (CHWs), it reduces costs, prevents complications, and improves patients’ quality of life.