Prof. Moussa Seydi abandons HeRO foundation project after six years of efforts

Professor Moussa Seydi has abandoned plans to create the Health and Research Organization (HeRO) foundation, a project he says he worked on for six years. The organisation was intended, in particular, to contribute to the maintenance and development of the Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department (SMIT) at Fann Hospital.

As head physician of the department, Prof. Seydi explained that the aim was to establish sustainable funding for part of the infrastructure maintenance costs. The challenge, he said, was to prevent the new SMIT from suffering the same decline as the former department, which gradually fell into disuse due to a lack of maintenance and support.

An alternative to an unfulfilled commitment

The specialist links the initiative to a commitment that the Senegalese state is said to have made to the project’s lead donor: to fully cover the maintenance of the SMIT. As that commitment was not honoured, the HeRO foundation was considered as an alternative solution to preserve the facilities and ensure their long-term sustainability.

After several years of unsuccessful procedures, the project did not materialise. Prof. Seydi says he is not stopping out of fatigue, but because he refuses to “run in circles”.

Thanks and continued action for the SMIT

In his message, he thanked notaries Moustapha Ndiaye and Tamsir Ndiaye, the founding members, researchers and donors who rallied around HeRO. He also mentioned Yankhoba Seydi, Director of Research and Innovation at Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, for his commitment.

However, abandoning the foundation does not, he says, mark the end of his efforts for the SMIT. He said he wants to continue, with those who wish to do so, to carry out concrete initiatives for the department outside the institutional framework initially envisaged.