Open in Browser     Swiss TPH News, April 2024   Accelerating the Fight against Malaria    With over 600,000 deaths in 2022, malaria remains one of the biggest health threats particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Against this background, the Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (MIM Society) 8th Pan-African Malaria Conference is currently taking place in Kigali, Rwanda. Coinciding with this years’ World Malaria Day, the conference brings together 1,500 people from around the world to shape future strategies in the fight against malaria. About 30 researchers and students are representing Swiss TPH at the event. » Read more     CALINA Study Shows Positive Efficacy and Safety Data for a Novel Treatment for Small Babies   Novartis and Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) announce positive data from their phase II/III CALINA study, demonstrating that a novel formulation of Coartem® (artemether-lumefantrine) developed for babies weighing less than 5kg with malaria has the required pharmacokinetic profile and good efficacy and safety.   ARTICLE     New Discovery Unravels Malaria Invasion Mechanism   A recent breakthrough sheds light on how the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, invades human red blood cells. The study, led by Swiss TPH and Griffith University’s Institute for Glycomics, reveals the role of a sugar called sialic acid in this invasion process. The findings, published in Cell Reports, have major implications for malaria vaccine and drug development.   ARTICLE     Message from the Director on World Malaria Day   Since its inception, research into the epidemiology of malaria and how to control and eliminate the disease has been a cornerstone of Swiss TPH. To mark World Malaria Day, Jürg Utzinger, Director of Swiss TPH, reflects on achievements and stresses the importance of innovation, partnership and sustained commitment to accelerate the fight against malaria.   BLOG     Parasitic Worms and Liver Disease in Rural Laos   A study published by Swiss TPH and partners in Lao PDR has revealed high rates of Steatotic Liver Disease in a rural region where liver fluke infections and diabetes are common. Surprisingly, parasitic worm infection was inversely associated with the prevalence of Steatotic Liver Disease. The study highlights the important interplay between infectious and non-communicable diseases.   ARTICLE   Project Updates   Assessing the Impact of an Integrated Healthcare Organisation in Switzerland   Over the next few years, the Basel Centre for Health Economics (BCHE) and Swiss TPH will study the results of the first "real" integrated care model in the Bernese Jura, Switzerland. The aim is to assess its impact on various qualitative and quantitative aspects of medical care and the management of members' health capital. » Read more Evolution of the Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Complex (MTBC)   A new project, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, aims to study the genomic evolution of MTBC over different time scales, the evolution of drug tolerance, drug resistance and drug susceptibility in serial MTBC isolates from patients receiving old or new TB drugs, and how MTBC strain diversity influences patient treatment outcomes. Together, the results of this project will inform the biology, epidemiology and control of one of humanity's deadliest infectious diseases. » Read more Self-Management for Chronic Disease Patients in Moldova   The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) is the most widely used self-management intervention, giving patients skills to manage their disease and prevent complications. As part of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation's Healthy Living project, a locally adapted CDSMP was piloted in the Republic of Moldova 5 years ago. An evaluation of the pilot now shows a significant increase in participants' self-efficacy, improved knowledge of how to manage their disease, and a generally high level of satisfaction. » Read more Two Kosovo Hospitals Become Members of International Network   The Integrated Health Services in Kosovo project supports the Health Promoting Hospitals approach to transforming the healthcare landscape in Kosovo, prioritizing patient wellbeing through education, prevention, integrated care, evidence-based practice and community engagement. In March 2024, the general hospitals of Peja and Gjakova, two major regions in Kosovo, became members of the International Network of Health Promoting Hospitals. » Read more   Study with Us   Migration and Health for People on the Move   Deepen your understanding of migration health trends and migration-related health issues. This one-week course is open to interested participants from all levels of the health sector and covers a wide range of topics, including health challenges in host countries, general health conditions of migrants, child health, sexual and reproductive health, and mental health. » Apply by 15 May 2024   Good Clinical Practice Training for Investigators and Study Teams   Our GCP training courses, accredited by Swissethics, provide a comprehensive overview of the ICH-GCP guidelines with a focus on human subject protection, informed consent and safety reporting, as well as topics such as study design, data management and submission to ethics committees in Switzerland. We now also offer a GCP refresher course. » Apply now   Communication, Marketing and Social Media   Acquire practical knowledge of social marketing approaches and effective health communication strategies across traditional and digital media platforms. Equip yourself with the skills to develop compelling communication strategies that engage local communities, professionals, and key decision-makers to promote behaviour change and policy adoption in support of health goals. » Apply by 6 May 2024   Upcoming Events   22 May 2024 IMPACT Webinar Series 2024: The State of the Science on Implementation Strategies » Register now   29 May 2024, Centre for Tropical and Travel Medicine, Basel: Turmhaus-Talks: Reisevorbereitungen - So reisen Sie gesund. » Register now   Swiss TPH in the Media   • Basler Zeitung: So verschmutzt ist die Luft an Ihrem Wohnort » Article   • Universität Basel - Ask Our Expert: Prof. Dr. Marloes Eeftens: Allergien und Pollensaison » Interview   • SRF: Nigerias neuer Impfstoff gegen Hirnhautentzündung » Radio   People of Swiss TPH   We were delighted to welcome around 20 colleagues from our global offices to our annual Project Leader Meeting and to give them a unique insight into the facilities at our headquarters. » Watch the video Latest Publications   • Bapolisi W A, Dumbaugh M, Felber S et al. Family planning in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo: personal beliefs, intimate partner negotiations and social pressure. Culture, Health & Sexuality » Read full article   • Hellingman A, Sifoniou K, Buser T, et al. Next generation chemiluminescent probes for antimalarial drug discovery. ACS Infectious Diseases » 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.