Madar (Nouakchott) - The Ministry of Health's secretary general, Abdi Salem Cheikh Saadbouh Cheikh Tourad, on Sunday, 8 November 2026, opened in the department of Ouad Naga a training seminar on biosafety and biosecurity for the laboratories of the National Institute for Public Health Research (INRSP), according to the Mauritanian News Agency (AMI).
The seminar, organised jointly by the institute and the Chinese Academy for International Business Officials, aims to build the capacity of laboratory staff and develop their knowledge and skills in applying international biosafety and biosecurity standards and procedures, so as to protect workers, the environment and the community and improve the quality of laboratory work, the same source said.
In a speech, the secretary general said the seminar reflected "the depth of cooperation and friendship" between Mauritania and China, praising Chinese support for the health sector and the role played for decades by Chinese medical missions in providing health services, training national staff and sharing expertise.
He said laboratories are a cornerstone of the health system, given their role in diagnosing diseases, carrying out reference tests, supporting epidemiological surveillance and responding to health risks, and that stronger biosafety and biosecurity is essential to the quality and continuity of laboratory work and to protecting staff. He urged participants to draw on the experience of the Chinese trainers in their daily work.
The opening was attended by the acting secretary general of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Development, the hakem of Ouad Naga, the Chinese charge d'affaires and head of mission, the mayor of El Ariya municipality, the vice-president of the Chinese academy and representatives of the administrative and security authorities, according to AMI.
