Malaria Research Capability Strengthening in Africa (1)
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Source: malaria@wehi.edu.au
Multilateral Initiative on Malaria in Africa (MIM)
Task Force for Malaria Research Capability Strengthening in Africa
Dear Colleagues
1. Based on the realization that research on malaria is severely
underfunded, as shown by a recent independent analysis (The Wellcome
Trust, Report No.7, 1996, London) and the fact that 80% of the malaria
burden is found in Africa, a meeting was held in Dakar in January
1997. At the meeting, a Multilateral Initiative on Malaria in Africa
(MIM) was planned to intensify efforts to strengthen malaria research
capability in Africa (Nature 386:541, 10 April, 1997). At a recent
follow-up meeting of a number of donor agencies in The Hague (July
8-9), I was requested to take some aspects of this initiative forward.
2. Dr. Ebrahim Samba, WHO Regional Director for Africa, suggested
that, a specifically designated Task Force managed by the UNDP/World
Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical
Diseases (TDR), in close collaboration with the Africa Regional Office
(AFRO) and the malaria control programme here at Headquarters,
Division of Tropical Disease Control (CTD) should be established as
key mechanism for the follow-up. The Task Force will be composed of
highly qualified scientists, the majority, including the Chairperson,
from Africa.
I am pleased to say that the financial support for this initiative is
building up. In the first place, I have freed US$ 0.5 million for this
purpose from TDR, in spite of having a zero growth budget. US$ 250,000
will come from the World Bank, committed by Dr. Richard Feachem. Dr.
Samba is very keen to make a contribution from AFRO and Dr. Behbehani,
Director CTD, will also join. The National Institutes of Health (NIH)
in the United States have committed themselves to contribute US$ 1
million and other agencies in Europe and the Americas have expressed
interest. We hope also that Japan will join.
3. In following-up this process, a discussion was held with Dr. Barend
Mons (Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research), The Hague
meeting organizer, to discuss TDR support activities. It was agreed
that TDR will a) organize and distribute a compendium describing the
mandates and interest of the participant agencies, b) identify,
promote and support, as required, through the Task Force, priority and
strategically important activities, including training and networking,
as pointed out in the Dakar meeting and letters of interest.
4. As agreed in The Hague, I am pleased to inform that the Welcome
Trust will take forward the organization of a "clearing house"
function, where representatives of the agencies participating in MIM
would meet regularly to improve co-ordination and collaboration.
The success of the clearing house and the extent to which the Task
Force and can play a strategic role for the Initiative will depend
critically on the collaborative effort. In this context, it would be
very important if you could submit to us information on your
activities (summary outline of research projects, funding level and
principal investigator(s)) relating to malaria in Africa by October 1,
unless they have already been submitted to Dr. Mons.
5. I am enclosing (in another email message), for your comments, the
proposed Plan of Action for these activities. I hope these actions
will make a significant contribution to MIM and we appreciate your
continued support. If you are able to make financial contributions to
the Task Force I would welcome an early indication for planning
purposes. I look forward to your participation in this joint
initiative.
Dr Tore Godal
Director
Special Programme for Research
and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR)
1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland,
Tel: +41-22-791-3805
Fax: +41-22-791-4854
mailto:godalt.who.ch
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Dr Fabio Zicker
mailto:zickerf@who.ch
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