Biomedical Research in Mali: The Ethical Challenge of Popularizing Science
The National Ethics Committee for Health and Life Sciences (CNESS) of Mali held a crucial plenary session at its premises. Organized as part of its first-semester operational plan and funded by the state budget, this workshop brought together all its members around a major issue: the future of public health communication.
On this occasion, the communication unit of the University Clinical Research Center (UCRC) presented a presentation entitled: “Popularization of Biomedical Research by Media and Communication Institutions in Mali; Challenges and Perspectives,” placing a particular emphasis on the ethics of communication.
A Global Center of Excellence Facing a Wall of Silence
For over three decades, Mali has established itself as an essential hub of excellence in global scientific research. This prestigious status stems from a historic partnership initiated in 1992 with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) of the United States.
This cooperation is embodied by ICER-Mali, a cutting-edge institution hosted by the University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB). Grouping together centers with international standards (UCRC, PMRTC, IDMRTC, CREFPAM), ICER-Mali employs over 900 Malian professionals.
Yet, despite world-class production—more than 450 articles published in 2021 alone in prestigious journals such as The Lancet or Nature—these results remain confined to academia. This breakdown in transmission is explained by a notorious lack of professional communication, a media landscape unsuited to scientific stakes, and complex linguistic and cultural barriers.
The Alarming Diagnosis of Local Media
The assessment made during the session is clear. Ibrahima Dia, Head of Communication at the UCRC, shared edifying figures: “The public is almost completely unaware of the existence of these centers of excellence. Out of 100 people interviewed on the streets of Bamako, fewer than 5 are able to name the UCRC or ICER-Mali.”
This information gap creates a dangerous divide between researchers and the population. Local media, often seeking sensationalism or lacking specialized training, ignore major breakthroughs that nevertheless save lives daily.
Major Challenges of Popularization in Mali
The processing of scientific information faces three structural obstacles:
- The linguistic barrier: Publications are written exclusively in English or scientific French. Translating them into national languages like Bambara requires immense conceptual effort.
- The lack of science journalists: Local newsrooms cruelly lack reporters trained to decode medical jargon without distorting the facts.
- Cultural mistrust: The absence of transparent communication fuels rumors and conspiracy theories surrounding clinical trials.
Indispensable Ethical Perspectives
To reverse the trend, CNESS and UCRC propose laying new ethical foundations for health communication:
- Train journalists: Create training modules in medical and scientific journalism.
- Translate knowledge: Produce popularized audio and video content in local languages.
- Institutionalize dialogue: Organize regular science cafés between researchers, communicators, and community leaders.
Biomedical research can no longer remain an ivory tower. Sharing research results is no longer an option; it is an ethical imperative to secure the support and trust of the population.
Communication Office
- Join us on YOUTUBE
- Join us on LINKEDIN
- Join us on X-PAGE