Open in Browser     Swiss TPH News, February 2024   Improving Access to Healthcare in LMICs   The challenges of access to medicines in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are manifold and complex. They range from limited funding for neglected disease research, to the intricacy of drug development in resource-limited settings, to barriers to integrating new tools and policies into health systems. On 8 February, Swiss TPH hosted a symposium that brought together 350 experts and key stakeholders from academia, the pharmaceutical industry, policy and product development partnerships to promote synergies in research, drug development and medicines’ implementation. We look forward to continuing the discussion and fostering collaboration to improve the health of people worldwide! » Read more     Noma: Giving a Face to a Deadly Disease   Noma occurs mainly in areas of extreme indigence and is often referred to as the ‘face of poverty’. In December, the WHO officially added noma to the list of neglected tropical diseases. This recognition spurs hope for increased awareness, funding and collaboration to research and combat the disease. Swiss TPH played a key role in laying the groundwork for this WHO recognition.   ARTICLE     Reducing Health Inequities in the Prevention of Cervical Cancer   Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in sub-Saharan Africa. Women living with HIV are six times more likely to develop cervical cancer than those who are HIV negative. To tackle this issue, Swiss TPH together with partners developed a framework to enhance cervical cancer screening programmes for women living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa.   ARTICLE     Repurposing of TB Drug Candidates for the Treatment of Buruli Ulcer   A recent study by Swiss TPH, published in CHIMIA, shows the potential repurposing of tuberculosis drug candidates to fight Buruli ulcer, a chronic skin disease caused by M. ulcerans. The drug repurposing activities have led to the identification of a promising drug candidate for the treatment of Buruli ulcer in Africa and Australia.   ARTICLE     Swiss TPH's Centre for Tropical and Travel Medicine Now in the Heart of Basel   In January, the Centre for Tropical and Travel Medicine officially opened its new premises on Aeschenplatz in Basel. For 80 years, it has been a medical and diagnostic contact point for travellers in the region and is the largest competence centre for tropical and travel medicine in Switzerland, advising around 15,000 clients every year before and after travel.   ARTICLE   • Jürg Utzinger » Neglected tropical diseases: Then and now   • Edlira Keta » Strategic interventions towards inclusive and quality healthcare in Albania   • Sumaiyya Thawer » A Swiss TPH researcher discusses with Bill Gates   Project Updates   Combating Viral Diseases with Innovative Therapeutic Approaches   AVITHRAPID is a recently launched consortium under the Horizon Europe programme , coordinated by the German Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and comprising 18 research institutions including Swiss TPH. The project aims to build a pipeline of small molecule-based antiviral agents that can be widely used and rapidly developed into therapies against emerging infectious diseases. Within the project, the consortium intends to test a small molecule against Zika virus in a clinical trial. Swiss TPH is involved in the monitoring of the clinical trials. » Read more Responding to Violence against Women and Girls   The MISSOP project examines the role of the health sector in recording and responding to violence against women and girls in primary care and emergency departments in Albania and Brazil. In a recent video, the Swiss Network for International Studies (SNIS) shared testimonies about missed opportunities in responding to violence against women and girls and what is currently being done. » Watch the video Impact of Menstrual Health Management on the Vaginal Microbiome   There is a general lack of evidence on the health effects of menstrual products. This project, led by Swiss TPH aims to fill this gap by building a comprehensive evidence base on the health impact of different menstrual products on the vaginal microbiome. The research team will examine women’s practices and preferences for menstrual hygiene products in Peru and Cameroon, and conduct a systematic global review to provide context. » Read more Malaria Modelling in Africa   The African Institute for Mathematical Science (AIMS) has joined forces with universities, research institutions, operational partners and national malaria control programmes under a BMGF grant to train the next generation of malaria modellers in Africa to strengthen sustainable evidence-based health policies. As a member of the consortium, Swiss TPH actively contributes to the PhD programmes and the establishment of the new MSc in Malaria Modelling in Rwanda, which started last autumn. Swiss TPH's role includes curriculum development in modelling, teaching and mentorship. » Read more   Customized Cost-Benefit Analysis for TB Treatment   TB Alliance and Swiss TPH jointly developed SLASH-TB, a business model to illustrate the cost savings of using BPaL and BPaLM, the newly approved regimens for drug-resistant TB, compared to the short (typically 9 months) and long (typically 18 months) oral bedaquiline-containing regimens. The tool can be flexibly applied and implemented by users at country, state or hospital level. » Read more   Study with Us   Boost Your Career with Our Management Courses   Health Economics and Health Financing: Explore key concepts of health economics and financing systems, including public goods, supply and demand, and health system performance evaluation, to critically discuss health financing and payment reforms at local, national and global levels. » Apply by 18 March 2024   Health Policy and Systems Analysis: Acquire a comprehensive understanding of the interaction between global health strategies, national and local health policies and health systems development. » Apply by 8 April 2024   Supply Chain Management in Health Care: Gain essential knowledge and skills in supply chain management for global health, enabling you to strengthen the supply of medical resources, address management challenges and ensure the responsible use of health commodities. » Apply by 29 April 2024   Beyond the Classroom: Setting Up an Epidemiological Study   As part of his PhD at Swiss TPH, Nikolai Hodel set up the RenalTWO study to investigate cardiovascular disease risk factors linked to chronic kidney disease in Tanzania. » Read the story   Peter Steinmann has been elected as the new Chair of the Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy. Martin Röösli has been appointed Full Professor at the Faculty of Science of the University of Basel. Günter Fink has been appointed Full Professor at the Faculty of Business and Economics and the Faculty of Science of the University of Basel.   Swiss TPH in the Media   • NZZ: Der Hunger auf der Welt nimmt zu – für Kinder hat er meist lebenslange Folgen » Article   • NPR: Treatment for acute sleeping sickness has been brutal — until now » Article   • Tagesanzeiger: Schweiz könnte mit besserer Luft über 2200 Leben pro Jahr retten » Article   Upcoming Events   11 March 2024, Basel: BCHE Frühlingssymposium: Kostenexplosion im Gesundheitswesen: Rolle des Staates? » Register now   10 & 11 April 2024, Basel: Sustainability Days 2024 » Register now   27 -29 May 2024, Geneva: Geneva Health Forum » Read more   People of Swiss TPH   “My work at Swiss TPH contributes to a healthier future for people in resource-limited settings by improving adherence to medical guidelines and thus improving correct diagnosis, treatment and referral.” Patrick Delcroix, IT Senior Specialist, Digital Health Unit » Watch the video Latest Publications   • Braunack-Mayer L, Malinga J, Masseray T et al. Design and selection of drug properties to increase the public health impact of next-generation seasonal malaria chemoprevention: a modelling study. The Lancet Global Health » Read full article   • Taghavi K, Moono M, Mwanahamuntu M et al. Accuracy of screening tests for cervical precancer in women living with HIV in low-resource settings: a paired prospective study in Lusaka, Zambia, BMJ Oncology » Read full article       Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) Kreuzstrasse 2 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland communications@swisstph.ch Swiss TPH   Imprint | Data Privacy   If you do not wish to receive further newsletters, you can unsubscribe any time.