The framework agreement between the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and the ‘Lazzaro Spallanzani’ National Institute for Infectious Diseases (INMI) was signed yesterday in Rome, through which interventions can be carried out both for development cooperation and emergency response in partner countries, mainly in Africa, contributing to the transfer of know-how and skills in the field of prevention and combating infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
The agreement was signed at the Agency’s headquarters by AICS Director Marco Riccardo Rusconi and the General Director of Spallanzani, Cristina Matranga, in the presence of Scientific Director Enrico Girardi and Director of the High-Intensity Care Infectious Diseases Unit Emanuele Nicastri of the hospital institute, as well as the Heads of the Human Development sector, Annamaria Iotti, and Humanitarian Aid and Fragility, Marta Collu, of the Agency.
“The Spallanzani Institute represents an Italian excellence in the management of infectious diseases and in responses to health emergencies, an excellence that we want to enhance in the spirit of the Mattei Plan and within the framework of the Agency’s actions aimed at encouraging the contribution and participation of public and university entities in cooperation initiatives,” commented AICS Director Rusconi.
“The signing of this framework agreement confirms the international vocation of the INMI. The collaboration with AICS will allow us to systematize the experience gained in the field, from personnel training to responses to health emergencies, contributing to improving access to quality care for the most vulnerable populations,” highlighted Spallanzani’s Director General Matranga.
The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), within the framework of the guidelines defined by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), is the technical body responsible for carrying out operational activities related to the phases of investigation, formulation, financing, management, and control of cooperation initiatives. The Agency was established with the reform law on cooperation (Law No. 125/2014) and began operating in 2016, with a central office in Rome and one in Florence, and 20 offices abroad, of which 10 are in Africa.
The “Lazzaro Spallanzani” Hospital in Rome is the main Italian Institute for hospitalization and scientific care (IRCCS) specialized in infectious diseases. Inaugurated in 1936, it is a national and international reference point for advanced research and plays a central role in health emergencies. It is at the forefront in the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and, more recently, in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. The hospital integrates patient care, laboratory activities, and the testing of new therapies. For years, the Institute has been a partner of Italian Cooperation in numerous international activities to support the fight against infectious diseases in low and middle-income countries.
