The agreement was signed, on the one hand, by Latifa Abida, Secretary-General of the Lalla Salma Association Against cancer and, on the other hand, by Roche Holding Ltd, represented by Tuygan Goker, and Sami Zerelli, managing director of Roche Morocco and regional director of North Africa and West Africa.

   This agreement falls within the scope of the partnership between the Lalla Salma Association and Roche Holding Ltd, following the recommendations of the Marrakech International Conference on cancer control in Africa and the Middle East, held in January 2012.

     It is also consistent with the dynamic, cooperative agreements to improve the management of cancer in Mali and Mauritania, signed between Roche and the ALSC on the sidelines of the Marrakech Call, launched at the same conference.

   The agreement is also part of the partnership between Roche and the ALSC in Morocco since 2007, for early detection and improved access to innovative therapies, particularly for the poorest patients.

   Under the agreement, the two partners undertake to endeavour to raise awareness on the issue of cancer in West Africa by identifying, in partnership with local health authorities, the priority projects that make it possible to improve accommodation structures and care for cancer patients in West Africa.

    This includes the promotion of information campaigns for health professionals and the public on the importance of the fight against cancer as a major issue of public health, the enhancement of medical education in oncology for the medical and paramedical personnel and those involved in the fight against cancer, as well as support for conducting epidemiological studies, particularly for cancer registries.