MRC (UK) The Gambia - RSS

Meningitis vaccine trialled in The Gambia receives crucial approval

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:49:52 +0100

MenAfriVac™, a vaccine developed through the Meningitis Vaccine Project (MVP) to protect against life-threatening meningococcal meningitis, received prequalification from the World Health Organization (WHO) on 23rd June 2010. The action clears the way for the phased introduction of the vaccine in Africa later this year.

Leading the way on new vaccines

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 10:08:51 +0100

On Thursday 29th April 2010, Sukuta Health Centre opened its doors to the community and other key stakeholders in a programme themed ‘Working Together with the Community: Novel Vaccine Studies’.

Waging war on Meningitis

Wed, 3 Mar 2010 16:43:07 +0000

Vaccines are known to be a cheap, safe and effective method of saving lives. Yet collectively, meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib); Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis continue to cause over three quarters of a million childhood deaths every year in Sub-Saharan Africa.

MRC donates Farafenni Field Site to UTG

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:23:18 +0000

Friday 12th February 2010 marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the long-standing partnership between the Medical Research Council and the University of The Gambia. In a ceremony attended by senior members of the Government, the British High Commissioner to The Gambia, the University’s Governing Council and MRC staff, the Medical Research Council donated its field site at Farafenni to the University’s School of Medicine & Allied Health Sciences.

Gambia unit unveils new strategic direction

Tue, 2 Feb 2010 08:50:24 +0000

The MRC unit in The Gambia has outlined new plans for the next five years, which will include focusing its science on three new themed areas: Child Survival, Disease Control and Elimination, and Vaccines.

The Gambia: Leading the Fight against Pneumonia

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 10:34:37 +0000

Every 15 seconds, a child somewhere in the world dies of pneumonia. That’s 5,500 child deaths every day, and 2 million child deaths every year.* Thus, pneumonia is the biggest killer of children in the world. Despite this overwhelming statistic, pneumonia prevention and treatment strategies remain severely underfunded and are rarely mentioned in the news media.

Mosquito screens found to be cheap and effective in malaria prevention

Fri, 4 Sep 2009 09:30:57 +0100

Trials of a screen-based malaria prevention programme in 500 homes in The Gambia have led to a 50 per cent reduction in malaria transmission and anaemia in children. A child dies from malaria in Africa every 30 seconds and infection can lead to an increased risk of anaemia, which can also prove fatal. Yet screening has, to date, often been ignored in favour of using drugs and insecticides.

Changes at MRC (UK) The Gambia: An Update

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 08:21:00 +0100

Research across the world is changing due to large investments in science and innovation in developing economies. The emergence of new health research centres in West Africa and new funding bodies such as the Global Health Fund and the Gates Foundation means that MRC UK needs to ensure that its funding provides a unique contribution, utilising its reputation for delivering excellent science.

Malaria Elimination: Towards an Agenda for West Africa

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:36:31 +0100

The reported dramatic decline* in malaria in The Gambia over the last ten years has rekindled interest and hope in the possibility of eliminating the disease from the country. The Gambia’s neighbours are also experiencing declines and there is increasing interest in the development of a sub-regional elimination consortium.

Training for tomorrows science today

Mon, 8 Jun 2009 09:46:28 +0100

Human capacity building is at the root of everything MRC (UK) The Gambia wants to achieve; it underpins development in general and the scientific breakthroughs the Unit has enjoyed over several decades in particular.