La Marató has provided funding for 36 biomedical research projects on infectious diseases, chosen from the 214 projects submitted as part of the 2017 aid scheme. The aim is to promote the development of new prevention and diagnosis tools and more efficient treatments, in efforts to help patients live longer and more comfortably. The Catalan Agency for Health Quality and Assessment (AQUAS) coordinated an international process in which 103 experts in infectious diseases assessed the projects based on criteria such as quality and methodology, scientific, health and social relevance and innovative value.

The project “Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of improving the diagnostic and communicative skills of doctors to make antibiotic treatment more suitable for patients with acute cough in primary care in Catalonia” was coordinated by Dr Carles Llor, a researcher at IDIAPJGol. Also involved in the project, with two subprojects, was the Research Institute for Evaluation and Public Policies (IRAPP) at UIC Barcelona, with Dr Marta Trapero, director of the Institute, and the Catalan Society for Family and Community Medicine (CAMFiC), with Dr Antoni Sisó, president of the Society.

The project will receive €377,375 of the €9.8 million raised by La Marató 2017. In 2023, the Foundation will release the findings of the research project at a scientific symposium.

Award ceremony

The award ceremony, hosted by journalist Xavi Abad, took place yesterday at the seat of the Academy of Medical Sciences and Health of Catalonia and the Balearic Islands. The event, presided by the honourable Elsa Artadi, councillor to the Presidency of the Government of Catalonia, also featured Laura Pelay, secretary-general of the Department of Health; Núria Llorach, vice-president of the Catalan Media Corporation and the Board of Trustees of the La Marató de TV3 Foundation; Dr Dolors Sintes, vice-president of the Academy of Medical Sciences and Health of Catalonia and the Balearic Islands; Lluís Bernabé, director of the La Marató de TV3 Foundation; and Dr Albert Barberà, director-general of Research and Innovation for the Department of Health and coordinator of the Scientific Advisory Committee.