Enreca Health > Research Projects > Malaria Research Progr...
Malaria Research Programm - The Accra-Copenhagen Research Link
Period
1993-2004
Main Collaborating Institutions
-
Ngouchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research (NMIMR)
- Dept. of Child Health & Centre for Tropical Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics,
- Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, University of Ghana
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Copenhagen (IMM)
- Institute for Medicinal Chemistry, Royal Danish School of Pharmacy
Principal Project Coordinators
Bartholomew D Akanmori, Professor
Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research
University of Ghana
P.O. Box 25, Legon
Ghana
E-mail: malimmun @ ncs.com.gh
Lars Hviid, Dr.
Department of Infectious Diseases M7641
Rigshospitalet
Tagensvej 20
2200 Copenhagen N
Denmark
Tel: 35 45 79 57
Fax: 35 45 76 44
E-mail: lhcmp @ rh.dk
Project Description
The project is concerned with research on malaria, which is one of Ghana's primary health problems. The purpose of the project is to increase the capacity for sustainable malaria research in Ghana at an internationally competitive level, through the training of Ghanaian scientists up to the Ph.D. level, and through supplementary training of Ghanaian technical staff.
The research includes immunological and epidemiological components based on persons with natural protection from malaria, a study of the efficacy of traditional medicines against malaria, immunological studies of cerebral malaria, studies of the mechanisms whereby the malaria parasite circumvents the body's immune system, and research on the effect of pentoxyfyllin on cerebral malaria. The project includes studies at hospital and community levels. Equipment and materials have been delivered for a hospital laboratory.
In the third project phase, a number of measures have been taken to increase the sustainability of research capacity at the Ghanaian partner institutions, including complete transfer of economic accountability. In addition, the infrastructure created by the programme now forms a basis for other studies, initiated by the Ghanaian clinical partners. These studies include investigations of new treatment strategies in the face of increasing drug resistance, and management practice at peripheral institutions. Clinical trials and studies on the pathogenesis of severe malaria are continuing at the Department of Child Health (DCH), Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra. In 2002 two clinical trials were performed, one in uncomplicated malaria about ways to preserve the usefulness of chloroquine, and the other in cerebral malaria on alternatives to chloroquine which is no longer acceptable for severe malaria due to increasing resistance. Pathogenesis studies have focused on severe anaemia, intravascular haemolysis and cerebral malaria. Recently this collaboration has expanded to a network of researchers from DCH, KNUST, Dangme West District and NMIMR plus Centre for Medical Parasitology with the purpose of integrating malaria research at all levels of the health system. As the end of the third project phase is approaching, prospects go towards a major strengthening of this network with focus on appropriate prevention and treatment of malaria in childhood and pregnancy.
M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees have been awarded, following the "sandwich" model, with field studies in Ghana and further education in Denmark, supported by the project.
Further information: Centre for Medical Parasitology
