Hospices Civils de Lyon (HCL) @CM
The three institutions aim to leverage their respective expertise to address global health challenges. A large-scale operation is planned in Armenia for April 2026.
Lyon, France – A new partnership between Hospices Civils de Lyon (HCL), the Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, and the Mérieux Foundation aims to bolster international efforts to combat infectious diseases and improve public health. The three entities signed a framework agreement on Thursday, February 26, 2026, to combine the HCL’s clinical and epidemiological expertise, the University’s academic strengths, and the Foundation’s experience in microbiology and strengthening health systems in resource-limited countries.
The five-year pact will focus on several key objectives, including training healthcare workers in countries where the Mérieux Foundation operates or within the HCL system. It will also facilitate expert missions, audits, and support from HCL hospital and university professionals, as well as foster joint scientific collaborations through national and international project applications. The partnership will also prioritize the co-creation of medical and biological reference materials, educational modules, and teaching tools tailored to local needs, and the joint mobilization of technical platforms and academic expertise for high-impact public health projects.
Immediate Action Planned in Armenia
The collaboration will begin with a significant initiative in Armenia, scheduled for April 2026, to “strengthen national capacities for the prevention, control, and management of antimicrobial-resistant perinatal infections, for better maternal and newborn health.” The initial focus will be on screening for Group B Streptococcus in pregnant women – a leading cause of neonatal mortality in developing countries – and managing urinary tract infections. To prepare for this work, two HCL healthcare professionals, Dr. Ani Horikian, a biologist, and Dr. Claire Triffault-Fillit, an infectious disease specialist from the Croix-Rousse hospital, have already been dispatched to Armenia.
In addition to direct intervention, the partnership will emphasize training local healthcare personnel. Targeted training sessions will be conducted on “interpreting analysis results and adapting antibiotic treatments,” alongside a remote mentorship program designed to provide personalized clinical practice support and rapid responses to emerging needs. This collaborative approach underscores the importance of building sustainable healthcare infrastructure and expertise within Armenia.
