Strengthening Malaria Research Capability in Africa
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This is an article from the TDR Newsletter 56 (June 98):
STRENGTHENING MALARIA RESEARCH CAPABILITY IN AFRICA
The Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (MIM) Task Force on Malaria
Research Capability Strengthening in Africa, supported by several
agencies and governments and co-ordinated by TDR, met from 23-26
February 1998 in WHO/HQ to review proposals submitted in response to a
call for applications issued in October 1997.
A total of 63 proposals involving 40 countries (17 from Africa) and 161
partner institutions/ research groups were reviewed. The proposals
covered many aspects of malaria research including the clinical and
molecular basis of drug resistance, chemoprophylaxis in pregnancy, drug
policy, epidemiology of immune response, evaluation of natural prod-
ucts, epidemiology of parasite diversity, home management of malaria,
and vector biology.
The Task Force recommended funding of 15 full proposals (see list
below), involving 20 African and 5 European countries and the USA, with
budgets ranging from US$92 000 to US$250 000 for the first year of
funding, a total of US$2.5 million. In addition, support was recom-
mended for 12 other proposals to promote interactions between partners,
improve proposals and collect preliminary data. The concept of a 'mini-
mum fundable unit' proposed by the Task Force, which involves at least
one international partner, one established and one emerging African
partner, was observed by all proposals. The objective is to promote
technology transfer and local training and to expand the number of re-
search groups with potential for developing relevant research projects.
Fourteen PhD and six MSc Research Training Grants were also approved in
connection with the funded projects. The Task Force will carry out
additional activities to promote a network of investigators and
capacity-building activities among projects of common interest. A new
call for proposals will be issued later this year. Additional
information can be obtained from:
Dr Fabio Zicker,
Task Force Manager
WHO/TDR
Fax +41-22-791-4854
mailtp:zickerf@who.ch
MIM GRANTS APPROVED IN FEBRUARY 1998:
ADENIYI, J. - College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria -
Incorporating socio-cultural/economic characteristics of
mothers/care-givers in home management of childhood malaria.
AJAIYEOBA, E. - PIMRAT, University of Ibadan, Nigeria - Identification
and clinical evaluation of potential antimalarial components from
Nigerian phytomedicine compendium.
AKANMORI, B. - Noguchi Institute, Ghana - Immunopathology of severe
anaemia in P. falciparum infected children.
DOUMBO, O. - University of Mali - Surveillance and control of drug
resistant malaria.
DOSSOU-YOVO, J. - Institute Pierre Richet, Organisation de CoopTration
et de Coordination pour la Lutte contre les Grandes EndTmies (OCCGE),
Bouake, Ivory Coast - Influence of environment modification for rice
cultivation on malaria transmission and morbidity in rural IVC forests.
KOKWARO, E. - University of Nairobi, Kenya - Integrated training / re-
search project on clinical pharmacology of key drugs used to treat and
manage P. falciparum malaria.
KORAM, K - Noguchi Institute, Ghana - Mapping response of P. falciparum
to chloroquine and other antimalarial drugs in Ghana.
LE SUEUR, D. - National Malaria Research Programme, South Africa -
Mapping malaria risk in Africa (MARA).
MACHESO, A. - Community Health Services Unit (CHSU), MOH, Malawi -
Optimal antimalarial drug policies in Malawi Ministry of Health.
Monitoring and limiting evolution of resistance to widely used drugs.
MSHINDA, H. - National Institute of Medical Research, Ifakara, Tanzania
- Molecular epidemiology and modelling the spread of antimalarial drug
resistance.
NWAGWU, M. - University of Ibadan, Nigeria - Antibodies that inhibit
malaria merozoite surface protein-1 processing and erythrocyte inva-
sion.
NTOUMI, F. - Centre International de Recherches MTdicales (CIRM),
Franceville, Gabon - Relation between complexity of infections, dis-
ease, transmission and human red blood polymorphism in two African
countries.
OLADEPO, O. - Postgraduate Institute for Medical Research and Training
(PIMRAT), College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria -
Intersectoral model for management, control, and policy formulation on
drug resistance.
SHARP, B. - National Malaria Research Programme, South Africa -
Development and implementation of molecular and biochemistry capability
for insecticide resistance monitoring and management in South Africa.
VULULE, J. - Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kenya -
Population structure of A. gambiae and A. funestus in Kenya and West
Africa.
--
Jocelyne Bruyere
mailto:bruyerej@who.ch
http://www.who.ch/tdr/kh/res_link.html
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