Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria opens Integrated Malaria Research Centre

The University of Pretoria (UP) officially  established itself as a national leader in the fight against malaria with the launch of its new Centre for Sustainable Malaria Control (UP CSMC) on the 17th of November 2011.

Dr Stella Anyangwe (WHO Representative)

The Centre, officially opened by Dr Yogan Pillay, Deputy Director General of Strategic Health Programmes at the National Department of Health, will coordinate a number of established malaria research initiatives within different faculties of the University, all aimed at the sustainable control and eventual elimination of the disease.

According to Prof Tiaan de Jager, Director of the Centre, there is an urgent need for research and surveillance in many malaria areas to eliminate the disease by the use of an integrated management approach.

“The Centre has the potential to become an international leader in the fight against the disease as it will be able to guide policy makers on suitable strategies for sustainable malaria control. Top researchers from the University are researching innovative and safe ways to combat malaria, including finding alternatives for the pesticide DDT,” Prof De Jager explained.
 

Prof C de la Rey – Vice Chancellor & Principal with Dr Yogun Pillay- Deputy Director General of Strategic Health Programmes at the National Department of Health
& Prof Eric Buch – Dean and Chairperson of the UP CSMC Board

Current research include studies on the impact of climate change on malaria areas, an investigating of physical methods of mosquito control, the effects of DDT on human and environmental health as well as the examination of new and innovative ways to target weaknesses in malaria parasite biology.

Another key component in a holistic approach to prevention and management is the engagement with the affected populations to ensure that they are part of the decision making and sustainability of successful interventions. In order to achieve sustainable interventions community members should also fully understand the strategies, and where appropriate carry some responsibility for these in the long term. It is therefore important that community participation is ensured in the research projects and that health promotion and education with the affected community members form part of the research objectives and methods.
 

Members of the UP CSMC Management Committee
Front : (left to right) –
Dr Francis Hyera, Dr Natalie Aneck-Hahn, Prof Riana Bornman,
Prof LynMarie Birkholtz, Prof Fourie Joubert, Prof Steve Koch
Back: Prof Walter Focke, Prof Tiaan de Jager (Director UP CSMC)

The Centre for Sustainable Malaria Control at the University of Pretoria (UP)

The mission of UP includes the intention to be an internationally recognised South African teaching and research university that is responsive to the educational, cultural, economic, scientific, technological, industrial, health, environmental and social needs of the country. The University’s vision acknowledges its prominent role in Africa, and its commitment to discharging its social responsibilities.  In this context it is clear that the problem of malaria control, which has such a devastating impact on health and the economy in many African countries, has been and continues to be a significant focus of the UP. The University is currently one of the leading institutions in malaria research in South Africa, recognized by their focus on malaria parasite biology, functional genomics, structure-based drug discovery efforts, innovative vector control strategies and public health and community engagement.

Prof Eric Buch, Prof Tiaan de Jager (Director UP CSMC) & Prof Richard Haynes

The focus of the Centre is on safer malaria control and management with focus areas on:

• Sustainable Methods of Malaria Control
  • Physical Methods of Vector Control
  • Biological Malaria Parasite & Vector Control and Bioinformatics & Drug Discovery
• Toxicology, Community Health & Occupational Health
• Climate Change
• Integrated Vector Management
• Malaria case management
• Mathematical Modelling & Health Economics
• Monitoring & Evaluation
• • Education, Health Promotion and Policy

Management Committee of the Research Centre
for Sustainable Malaria Control

Director
Prof C de Jager (PhD; Pr Sci Nat)
Professor: Environmental & Occupational Health
Chairperson: School of Health Systems & Public Health
Chair: Faculty RESCOM

Department of Biochemistry
Prof AL Louw (DSc; Pr Sci Nat)
Prof L Birkholtz (PhD)
Prof F Joubert (PhD)

Department of Chemical Engineering
Prof W Focke (PhD, Pr. Eng.)
Dr FJWJ Labuschagne (PhD, Pr. Eng.)

Department of Urology
Prof MS Bornman (MBChB, DSc, Pr Sci Nat, MD)
Dr NH Aneck-Hahn (DTech)

School of Health Systems & Public Health
Dr CM Mutero (PhD)
Dr FLM Hyera (MD, MSc, MMed)
Dr K Rendall-Mkosi (MPH, PhD)
Dr A Beke (MBChB; MMed)
Dr N Claassen (PhD)

Department of Family Medicine
Dr IS Ukpe (MBChB; MMed)

Chemical Pathology
Prof R Delport (PhD)

Department of Humanities Education
Dr AJF Dippenaar (PhD)

Dept of Companion Animal Clinical Studies
Prof JP Schoeman (BVSc; MMedVet; PhD; DSAM; Cert.Entrep.Stud.(Cantab); DipECVIM-CA.)

Dept of Geography, GIS & Meteorology
Dr Jane M Olwoch (PhD)

Department of Biochemistry & South African Malaria Initiative (SAMI)
Prof AI Louw (DSc; Pr Sci Nat)
Prof L Birkholtz (PhD)
Prof F Joubert (PhD)