Schweizerisches Tropen- und Public-Health Institut (Swiss TPH)

29.10.2024

20 Years of Pioneering HIV and Chronic Disease Care in Rural Tanzania

Swiss TPH "The Chronic Diseases Clinic of Ifakara (CDCI) is celebrating its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of providing healthcare, health training and clinical research in rural Tanzania. Established through a collaboration between Swiss and Tanzanian institutions to support individuals living with HIV/AIDS, CDCI has evolved into a leading model for HIV care in rural Africa. To honour this milestone, the clinic hosted a two-day event focused on HIV/AIDS and non-communicable diseases (NCDs)."

04.10.2024

Swiss TPH-Symposium: Eine Forschungsagenda für Noma

Swiss TPH "Das Schweizerische Tropen- und Public Health-Institut (Swiss TPH) hat heute am 20. September in Allschwil ein Symposium organisiert zum Thema “Defining the Noma Research Agenda”. Das Symposium brachte rund 100 Fachleute aus Wissenschaft, öffentlichem Gesundheitswesen, Politik und Gesundheitsförderung sowie Noma-Überlebende zusammen. Ziel des Anlasses war es, die Kräfte im Kampf gegen Noma zu bündeln und eine gemeinsame Forschungsagenda zu definieren. Noma ist eine schwere und schnell fortschreitende Krankheit, die vor allem Kinder in extremer Armut betrifft."

17.09.2024

Acting together to end sexual and gender-based violence against adolescent girls in Nigeria

Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute Olutoyin Opeyemi Ikuteyijo is a PhD student in the Society, Gender, and Health Unit within the Public Health and Epidemiology department at Swiss TPH. Her research work focuses on the experiences of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) faced by adolescent girls and young women in low-income communities.

08.08.2024

Hitzebedingte Sterblichkeit

Der neue Bericht über hitzebedingte Todesfälle in der Schweiz wurde von Swiss TPH im Auftrag des Bundesamtes für Umwelt BAFU und des Bundesamtes für Gesundheit BAG erstellt

Swiss TPH "Jährlich werden auf nationaler und kantonaler Ebene die hitzebedingten Todesfälle der Schweiz ermittelt. Das Monitoring geschieht im Rahmen der Anpassungsstrategie an den Klimawandel des Bundes. Die aktuelle Zeitreihe umfasst die Jahre 1980-2023. Hohe Temperaturen können für die menschliche Gesundheit eine Belastung darstellen und zum Tod führen. Durch den Klimawandel haben die mittleren Sommertemperaturen in den letzten Jahrzehnten zugenommen. Diese Entwicklung hält in Zukunft an."

08.08.2024

HIV-Behandlung bei Kindern und Jugendlichen verbessern

Swiss TPH "Weltweit leben etwa 2,6 Millionen Kinder und Jugendliche mit HIV, die grosse Mehrheit von ihnen in Afrika südlich der Sahara. Bei ihnen versagen Therapien deutlich häufiger als bei Erwachsenen. Fachleute gingen lange davon aus, dass Tests auf Resistenzen des Virus die Behandlung bei Therapieversagen verbessern könnte. Ein Forschungsteam unter Leitung der Universität Basel in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Swiss TPH und weiteren Partnern zeigt jedoch, dass es viel wichtiger wäre, die regelmässige Einnahme der Medikamente zu unterstützen. Die Ergebnisse wurden heute in der Fachzeitschrift The Lancet Global Health veröffentlicht."

07.06.2024

Ministers of Health from Rwanda and Senegal Visit Swiss TPH

Swiss TPH "In the end of May, Sabin Nsanzimana, Minister of Health from Rwanda and Ibrahima Sy, Ministre de la Santé et de l'Action Sociale from Senegal, visited Swiss TPH. The delegations discussed health sector priorities in their respective countries as well as current and potential future collaborations with Swiss TPH in the fields of research, education and services. The two ministers – both Swiss TPH alumni – also took the time to interact with students."

07.06.2024

Chronic Pain and Pastoralists in Ethiopia

Swiss TPH "Chronic pain is a significant global health concern and access to pain control is a basic human right. While the burden of chronic pain is well described in high-income countries, there is limited data in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), in particular in marginalized communities such as pastoralists. A study by Swiss TPH and partners published yesterday in the peer-reviewed journal PAIN now found that there is a high prevalence of chronic pain among Somali pastoralists in Ethiopia, especially among women and the older population."

07.06.2024

Not Just a Sneeze: Pollen Increase Blood Pressure

Swiss TPH "Pollen allergies affect an estimated fifth of the world’s population. Researchers from Swiss TPH now found that high pollen concentrations on average increase blood pressure in allergic people. This effect highlights a significant public health concern as pollen seasons lengthen and intensify due to climate change. The results were published today in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Research."

07.06.2024

Swiss TPH Annual Report 2023 Is Out Now!

Swiss TPH "We are thrilled to present to you the Swiss TPH Annual Report 2023, which reflects on the past year and includes institutional highlights and milestones, key facts and figures, an interview with Lutz Hegemann of Novartis and member of our Board of Governors on public-private partnerships, a closer look at how science guides policy, and much more. We would like to thank all of our staff and students, partners and funders for their continued trust and support in working together towards our mission to improve the health and well-being of people around the world."

03.05.2024

154 Million Deaths Averted: Contribution of Vaccination over the Past 50 Years

Swiss TPH "In 1974, the World Health Organization launched its Expanded Programme on Immunization. Now, 50 years later, a study shows that an estimated 154 million deaths have been averted thanks to vaccination. In 2024, a child under 10 years of age is 40% more likely to survive to their next birthday. The study published today in The Lancet was led by Swiss TPH in collaboration with WHO and numerous research organisations."

03.05.2024

Accelerating the Fight against Malaria - World Malaria Day 2024

Swiss TPH "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."

03.05.2024

CALINA Study Shows Positive Efficacy and Safety Data for a Novel Treatment for Small Babies

Swiss TPH "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. The trial was conducted in several African countries. Swiss TPH was in charge of carrying out the study in the Democratic Republic of the Congo."

04.04.2024

Neue Entdeckung enthüllt Mechanismus der Malariainvasion

Schlüsselkomponente für die Malariainvasion gefunden

Swiss TPH "Eine neue Entdeckung gibt Aufschluss darüber, wie der Malariaparasit Plasmodium falciparum in menschliche rote Blutkörperchen eindringt. Die Studie unter der Leitung des Schweizerischen Tropen- und Public Health-Instituts (Swiss TPH) und des Institute for Glycomics an der Griffith University enthüllt die Rolle eines Zuckers namens Sialinsäure bei diesem Invasionsprozess. Die Ergebnisse, die gestern in der Fachzeitschrift Cell Reports veröffentlicht wurden, haben wichtige Auswirkungen auf die Entwicklung von Impfstoffen und Medikamenten gegen Malaria. Mit 249 Millionen Malariafällen und 608.000 Todesfällen im Jahr 2022 bleibt Malaria eine ungelöste globale Gesundheitsbedrohung. Der Malariaparasit Plasmodium falciparum ist die Hauptursache der schweren Malaria und für die meisten Malariatodesfälle verantwortlich."

02.04.2024

Parasitic Worms and Liver Disease in Rural Laos

Swiss TPH "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 prevalent. Surprisingly, an infection with parasitic worms was inversely associated with the prevalence of Steatotic Liver Disease. The study sheds some light on the important interplay between infectious and non-communicable diseases."

01.03.2024

Noma: giving a face to a deadly disease

On December 15, 2023, the World Health Organization officially added noma to the list of neglected tropical diseases, which will make it easier to combat and research this poverty-related disease. Swiss TPH and the University of Basel both played a key role in ensuring noma was recognized in this manner. By Christian Heuss

SwissTPH "Many people prefer to look the other way when it comes to this disease, as the sight of young children suffering from its effects is unbearable. It causes open wounds on the face and whole sections of the cheek appear to have been eaten away. Children who survive the disease remain disfigured throughout their lives and struggle with speech disorders and eating problems. Noma typically affects children between two and six years of age. The disease starts seemingly harmless as sore gums and mild bad breath. At this stage, the disease would be easy to cure with a broad-spectrum antibiotic. If left untreated, the infection spreads to tissue necrosis within a few days. First soft tissues die, then cartilage structures and bones are attacked and literally eaten away by the infection."

01.03.2024

Swiss TPH Symposium: Improving Access to Healthcare in LMICs

Summary of the Symposium 8 February 2024

SwissTPH "Access to drugs, diagnostics and vaccines remains a challenge in many in low- and middle-income countries. Today, 8 February 2024, Swiss TPH hosted a symposium bringing together 350 experts and key players from academia, the pharmaceutical industry, politics and product development partnerships to assess current strategies and foster synergies in research, drug development and medicines’ implementation.

02.02.2024

Reducing Health Inequities in the Prevention of Cervical Cancer

Swiss TPH "Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer related deaths among women in sub-Saharan Africa. Women living with the human immunodeficiency virus (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 the Cervical Cancer Prevention and Care Cascade – a framework to enhance cervical cancer screening programmes for women living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa."

12.01.2024

Das Zentrum für Tropen- und Reisemedizin des Swiss TPH neu im Turmhaus am Aeschenplatz

Swiss TPH "Am Dienstag, 9. Januar 2024, wurde der neue Standort des Zentrums für Tropen- und Reisemedizin im Turmhaus 2 am Aeschenplatz offiziell eröffnet. Das Zentrum für Tropen- und Reisemedizin gehört zum Schweizerischen Tropen- und Public Health-Instituts (Swiss TPH). Eva Herzog, Ständeratspräsidentin und Präsidentin des Kuratoriums des Swiss TPH, richtete ein Grusswort an die Gäste aus Gesundheitswesen, Politik und Wissenschaft. Lukas Engelberger, Regierungsrat Kanton Basel-Stadt, war ebenfalls unter den Gästen."

12.01.2024

Bekämpfung der übermässigen Verschreibung von Antibiotika bei Kindern: Eine schweizerisch-tansanische Innovation mit vielversprechenden Ergebnissen

Swiss TPH "Eine gross angelegte Studie des DYNAMIC-Projekts zeigt vielversprechende Ergebnisse: Durch den Einsatz eines neuen digitalen Tools zur klinischen Entscheidungshilfe konnte die Verschreibung von Antibiotika um das Zwei- bis Dreifache reduziert werden. Diese Ergebnisse, die gestern in der Fachzeitschrift «Nature Medicine» veröffentlicht wurden, sind ein wichtiger Schritt zur Eindämmung der bakteriellen Antibiotikaresistenz."

12.01.2024

Limited Trust in Health Systems Hinders Universal Health Coverage

Swiss TPH "A series of papers in the Lancet Global Health published yesterday finds that only one-quarter of people thinks their health system works well. The People’s Voice Survey analysed people’s views and trust in the system in 15 countries, adding a missing component to how one evaluates health system performance. Swiss TPH contributed to these studies, which were led by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Quality Evidence for Health System Transformation (QuEST) network."

19.12.2023

EMA Recommends Arpraziquantel for Treatment of Schistosomiasis in Preschool-Aged Children

Swiss TPH "Arpraziquantel, developed by the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium, receives positive scientific opinion by the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of schistosomiasis in preschool-aged children. The Consortium's work to develop, register, and provide access to arpraziquantel is a tangible contribution to the elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem. As a member of the consortium, Swiss TPH conducted the clinical trials together with local partners."

19.12.2023

Milestone in the Fight Against Sleeping Sickness

Swiss TPH "The European Medicines Agency has adopted a positive opinion of fexinidazole for the treatment of T.b. rhodesiense sleeping sickness, found in Eastern and Southern Africa. The positive opinion is followed a clinical trial conducted by the HAT-r-ACC Consortium, of which Swiss TPH is a part. This is an important milestone in the fight against this acute and lethal form of the neglected tropical disease."

04.12.2023

Kelly Chibale: Learning to Fail Your Way to Success

Swiss TPH "Kelly Chibale was – to say the least – not born into science. Yet, he has become one of the most influential researchers in the field of drug discovery and development globally. Born in a rural part of Zambia, Kelly’s childhood was a struggle for bare survival. There was no running water, let alone television to provide entertainment. Instead, dusty roads, poverty and violence. “Education, which was free at the time, was the only way out of poverty for me,” Kelly Chibale recalls. Secondary school awakened in him a talent and fascination for chemistry. Mixing liquids to make them appear in new colours turned out to be a real miracle."

09.11.2023

The Politics of Pandemics: Navigating the Global Landscape

by Jürg Utzinger, Professor of Epidemiology and Director of Swiss TPH

Swiss TPH "The politics of pandemics is about more than just health. It is about how we work across sectors, balancing the complex interplay between health, politics and conflicts, ensuring equity and security in times of crisis. The lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic should guide us towards a safer and more resilient future. Proactive global health governance, based on science, diplomacy and solidarity, is key to tackling future crises. (...) The political dimension of pandemics is reflected in how nations choose to share data and information, allocate resources and work together for a common goal. Countries that foster diplomatic relations and support international initiatives are better equipped to respond effectively to pandemics. A new International Treaty on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response will be discussed at next year’s World Health Assembly, including roles and responsibilities on how to deal with pandemics by the international community."

09.11.2023

Long-term Partnership in Tanzania Improves Access to Healthcare

Swiss TPH "The Health Promotion and System Strengthening (HPSS) project, funded by SDC and implemented by Swiss TPH, supported the Government of Tanzania in addressing major challenges of the health system. Over the past 12 years, the project improved access, quality, and affordability of healthcare with innovative solutions, like the "improved Community Health Fund" (iCHF), which provides affordable health insurance for low-income populations. HPSS substantially strengthened the pharmaceutical sector, health technology management, and health promotion, recognising the importance of community involvement for lasting improvements."

29.09.2023

30 Years of R&D Towards New Drugs for Tropical Diseases

Swiss TPH "In today’s interconnected world marked by complex challenges, looking back serves as a compass for charting the way forward. As we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), it is an opportune moment to reflect on our journey. Join me as I delve into one notable aspect of our history: the research and development (R&D) of new drugs for tropical diseases."

08.09.2023

Wissenschaftler bekämpfen Tollwut mit Spieltheorie

Swiss TPH "Die Eliminierung der Tollwut in Afrika könnte durch einen besser koordinierten “One-Health»-Ansatz in greifbare Nähe rücken. Eine innovative Studie des Swiss TPH und seiner Partner hat die Spieltheorie eingesetzt, um wirksame Strategien für die betroffenen Länder zu identifizieren. Die heute in der Fachzeitschrift Nature Communications veröffentlichte Studie zeigt, dass eine bessere Zusammenarbeit zwischen den Ländern dieser tödlichen Krankheit ein Ende setzen könnte. Dies hätte einen erheblichen gesundheitlichen, wirtschaftlichen und sozialen Nutzen zur Folge. Die Tollwut ist eine vernachlässigte Tropenkrankheit (Neglected Tropical Disease, NTD), die jährlich noch immer schätzungsweise 59 000 Todesfälle verursacht, darunter viele Kinder. Die Krankheit wird fast ausschliesslich durch Hundebisse übertragen. Sobald Symptome auftreten, verläuft die Krankheit zu 100% tödlich."

08.08.2023

The long road to schistosomiasis elimination in Zanzibar: A systematic review covering 100 years of research, interventions and control milestones

A new study by Swiss TPH and partners

Science Direct "Zanzibar is among the few places in sub-Saharan Africa where interruption of Schistosoma transmission seems an achievable goal. A new study by Swiss TPH and partners reviews 100 years of research and efforts to control schistosomiasis in Zanzibar. We have contributed to these efforts through our long-standing research into the disease. The review identify milestones in the fight against the parasitic worm disease. A major achievement was the reduction of infected individuals from historically over 50% to under 5% in 2020, leading to a substantial improvement in the health for the Zanzibari population. While challenges remain, the results published in Advances in Parasitology suggest that with sustained commitments, the transmission of the disease could be stopped by 2030."

07.08.2023

Auch moderat heisse Temperaturen fordern Todesfälle, nicht nur Hitzewellen

Swiss TPH "Analysen des Swiss TPH zeigen, dass hitzebedingten Todesfälle auch durch moderat heisse Temperaturen verursacht werden – und nicht nur durch Hitzewellen. Im Auftrag des Bundes ermittelt das Swiss TPH neu jährlich die hitzebedingten Todesfälle in der Schweiz. Mit diesem Monitoring können die Auswirkungen des Klimawandels auf die Gesundheit langfristig erfasst und Anpassungsmassnahmen abgeleitet werden."

24.05.2023

Neue Behandlung von parasitären Wurminfektionen beim Menschen erweist sich als hochwirksam

Erster vielversprechender Wirkstoff zur Bekämpfung parasitärer Wurminfektionen seit mehreren Jahrzehnten

Swiss TPH "Ein neuer Arzneimittelkandidat zeigt vielversprechende Ergebnisse bei der Behandlung parasitärer Wurminfektionen. Forschende des Schweizerischen Tropen- und Public-Health-Instituts (Swiss TPH) testeten die Wirksamkeit und Sicherheit von Emodepsid gegen die drei wichtigsten durch den Boden übertragenen Helminthen auf der Insel Pemba in Tansania. Emodepsid ist der erste vielversprechende Wirkstoff zur Bekämpfung parasitärer Wurminfekionen seit mehreren Jahrzehnten. Das Swiss TPH wird nun gemeinsam mit Bayer an der weiteren Entwicklung des Medikaments arbeiten."

28.04.2023

Neues Hebammen-Betreuungsmodell verbessert das Wohlergehen vulnerabler Familien

Swiss TPH "Ein neues häusliches Hebammen-Betreuungsmodell hat sich als vielversprechend erwiesen, um das Wohlergehen von Frauen in vulnerablen Familiensituationen zu verbessern und chro-nischem frühkindlichen Stress vorzubeugen. Zu diesem Ergebnis kommt eine neue Studie, die kürzlich in der Fachzeitschrift BMC Health Services Research publiziert wurde. Das neue Be-treuungsmodell entstand aus einer Partnerschaft zwischen dem Schweizerischen Tropen- und Public Health-Institut (Swiss TPH) und Familystart beider Basel, Schweiz. Das Modell könnte für alle Schweizer Kantone angewendet werden."

28.04.2023

Time to Deliver Zero Malaria: Invest, Innovate, Implement

Swiss TPH "Although malaria can be prevented and treated, global investment in the fight against the disease is declining. World Malaria Day is therefore a reminder that the goal of a malaria-free world must remain on the political agenda, both in Switzerland and on a global scale. To mark the day, Swiss TPH experts hosted a panel discussion on 25 April 2023 to discuss the current work on malaria tools and interventions and future priorities."

03.04.2023

Mathematical Modelling to Inform Next-Generation Malaria Interventions

Swiss TPH "Global progress against malaria has stagnated and novel medical interventions are urgently needed. In a new publication, researchers from Swiss TPH and the Gates Medical Research Institute describe how modelling evidence is crucial for accelerating the development of new malaria vaccines, monoclonal antibodies and chemoprevention. Results were published today in Communications Medicine from Nature."

03.04.2023

Swiss TPH-Symposium zu Tuberkulose: Aufruf zum Handeln

Swiss TPH "Über 10 Millionen Menschen erkranken jedes Jahr an Tuberkulose (TB). Mit 1,6 Millionen Todesfällen pro Jahr ist die Krankheit nach wie vor eine der grössten Todesursachen der Welt. In den vergangenen Jahren wurden die Bemühungen und finanziellen Mittel zur Bekämpfung von TB von der COVID-19-Pandemie überschattet. Aktuell veranstaltet das Schweizerische Tropen- und Public Health-Institut (Swiss TPH) ein zweitägiges Symposium in Allschwil, um die neuesten Erkenntnisse der TB-Forschung auszutauschen, die Öffentlichkeit zu sensibilisieren und politische Veränderungen anzustossen. Wissenschaftlerinnen, Experten und Entscheidungsträgerinnen diskutieren Erkenntnisse und Ideen, um die weltweiten Bemühungen zur Eliminierung von TB als Problem der öffentlichen Gesundheit bis 2030 voranzutreiben."

27.01.2023

Experten fordern eine verstärkte Zusammenarbeit bei der Gesundheit von Mensch, Tier und Umwelt

Medienmitteilung

Swiss TPH "Die COVID-19-Pandemie hat Schwachstellen in den globalen Gesundheitsnetzwerken der Welt aufgezeigt. Ein globaler One-Health-Ansatz ist entscheidend für die Prävention, Überwachung und Bewältigung künftiger Gesundheitskrisen. Zu diesem Schluss kommen die Autoren einer vierteiligen Serie, die gestern in The Lancet veröffentlicht wurde. Das Swiss TPH mit seiner langjährigen Erfahrung im Bereich One Health hat zu dieser Serie beigetragen. In der Lancet-Serie zu One Health und globaler Gesundheitssicherheit fordern die Autoren verstärkte Investitionen in den One Health-Ansatz, insbesondere in Massnahmen zur Prävention und Vorbereitung auf Gesundheitskrisen. Hierfür werden weltweit jährlich Milliarden von US-Dollar benötigt – ein kleiner Bruchteil der Kosten für die Bewältigung der COVID-19-Pandemie. Jakob Zinsstag, Leiter der Einheit Human and Animal Health am Swiss TPH und Hauptautor des ersten Artikels der Serie sagte: «Es gibt klare Belege für die Vorteile in Form von geretteten Menschen- und Tierleben und finanziellen Einsparungen durch eine enge Zusammenarbeit im Bereich der Gesundheit an der Schnittstelle zwischen Mensch, Tier und Umwelt.»

18.01.2023

Supporting countries on their path to universal health coverage

Swiss TPH designs and implements health insurance solutions

Swiss TPH "Every year, 100 million people are pushed into poverty because they have to pay out of pocket for healthcare. To make sure that people can access health services without financial hardship, many countries have committed to ensuring universal health coverage and social protection. Swiss TPH provides tailor-made support to these countries."

18.01.2023

R. Geigy-Preis 2022: Auszeichnung für Einsatz gegen Malaria und Tuberkulose in Afrika

Swiss TPH "Die beiden Forschenden Lorenz Hofer und Mgeni Tambwe versuchen in Tansania die Übertragung der Malaria zu stoppen. Astrid Knoblauch befördert Tuberkulose-Medikamente mit Hilfe von Drohnen in Madagaskar. Dafür verleiht ihnen die R. Geigy-Stiftung den mit CHF 20'000 dotierten 12. R. Geigy-Preis 2022. In Gedenken an den Biologen und Gründer des Schweizerischen Tropen- und Public Health-Instituts (Swiss TPH), Rudolf Geigy, verleiht die Stiftung alle zwei Jahre diesen Preis an junge Forschende und Public Health-Spezialisten, die sich durch hervorragende Leistungen auf dem Gebiet der armutsbezogenen und vernachlässigten Tropenkrankheiten auszeichnen."

16.01.2023

Eva Herzog wird neue Präsidentin des Swiss TPH Kuratoriums

Swiss TPH "Die Regierungen der beiden Basel haben Eva Herzog, Ständerätin des Kantons Basel-Stadt, als neue Präsidentin für das Kuratorium des Schweizerischen Tropen- und Public-Health-Instituts (Swiss TPH) gewählt. Sie tritt ihr Amt per 1. Januar 2023 an. Das Kuratorium ist das oberste Aufsichts- und Entscheidungsorgan des Swiss TPH. Die Präsidentin bzw. der Präsident wird jeweils von beiden Regierungen gemeinsam gewählt."

16.01.2023

Jürg Utzinger wird neuer Präsident der R. Geigy-Stiftung

Swiss TPH "Der Stiftungsrat der R. Geigy-Stiftung wählte Jürg Utzinger, Direktor des Schweizerischen Tropen- und Public Health-Instituts (Swiss TPH) zum neuen Präsidenten der R. Geigy-Stiftung ab 1. Januar 2023. Er folgt in diesem Amt Marcel Tanner, der die Stiftung während 25 Jahren präsidierte. «Ich freue mich riesig, ab Januar 2023 als Präsident die Geschicke der R. Geigy-Stiftung zu leiten», sagt Jürg Utzinger. «Die R. Geigy-Stiftung entwickelte sich in den letzten Jahrzehnten zu einem strategisch wichtigen Gefäss für das Swiss TPH. Gerade junge Forschende konnten immer wieder von gezielten Anschubfinanzierungen profitieren, um ihr grosses Potenzial zu entfalten.»

02.12.2022

New Project to Improve the Care of Patients with Non-Communicable Diseases in Kosovo

Swiss TPH "Diabetes affects about half a billion people worldwide, most of them in low- and middle-income countries. Every year, 1.5 million deaths are directly attributed to diabetes, and both the number of cases and the prevalence of diabetes are constantly increasing. In Kosovo, diabetes is highly prevalent, yet often poorly controlled or undiagnosed. A new project funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by Swiss TPH aims to tackle the burden of non-communicable diseases in Kosovo by supporting the development of a sustainable health system that provides high quality, affordable and integrated care for affected patients."

02.12.2022

Improving Diagnosis for Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis

Swiss TPH "Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the world’s biggest infectious disease killers. It is a complicated disease to diagnose and treat, even more so when it affects organs outside of the lung. A clinical trial in Tanzania tested a diagnostic algorithm including point-of-care ultrasound to increase the proportion of correctly managed patients. While the proportion of correctly managed patients could not be increased, the study indicates that this diagnostic algorithm could be a feasible approach to increase confirmation of TB. This is the first clinical randomized controlled trial successfully conducted at the St. Francis Referral Hospital in Ifakara, highlighting the excellent clinical research knowhow and collaboration between the Ifakara Health Institute, Swiss TPH, and other partners. The results were published in the peer-reviewed journal Clinical Infectious Diseases."

02.12.2022

World AIDS Day 2022 - Equity for all!

Swiss TPH "(...) For this years’ World AIDS Day, CDCI and the Ifakara Health Institute have teamed up with the district AIDS coordinator in Ifakara to celebrate World AIDS Day – to meet people in the community and raise a loud voice for equity for those infected with HIV or at risk to become infected. During the day, HIV testing will be offered together with other preventive health measures, and people living with HIV will share how HIV has affected their lives and how they manage to live a normal life in the community. Games for children, dances and theatre plays will convey the message of U=U (undetectable equals untransmittable), claiming equity for all!"

05.11.2022

Multiscale transmission dynamics of rabies in Africa: The urban-rural interface

Swiss TPH "Researchers at Swiss TPH have launched a new project focused on rabies control in Chad with the help of artificial intelligence. Read more about how the research project takes a transdisciplinary One Health approach and uses public engagement and multilingual communication to achieve results. Dog mediated rabies, although entirely preventable, kills every year over 25,000 people in Africa. It has been demonstrated that rabies transmission can be interrupted with successful dog mass vaccination in N’Djamena, the capital city of Chad. However, most of the strategies to control and eliminate human rabies still stagnate mainly due to a lack of resources to support such interventions. One way that we can tackle rabies in Africa is by introducing relatively new, low-cost interventions, which is what our research project on Rabies Control in Chad aims to address."

05.11.2022

Current Recommended Treatment against Whipworm Shows Better Results than New Drug Combination

Swiss TPH "Swiss TPH researchers tested two different drug combinations against the parasitic worm Trichuris trichiura on Pemba Island, Tanzania. Findings show that a new treatment combination (moxidectin and albendazole) is inferior compared to the current recommended treatment combination (ivermectin and albendazole). However, moxidectin might serve as an alternative in areas in which ivermectin is not readily available or potentially where there are resistances against ivermectin. Results were published on 28 October in the Lancet Infectious Diseases Journal. More than 1.5 billion people worldwide are infected with soil-transmitted helminths. The infections occur mainly in tropical and subtropical areas in sub-Saharan Africa, the Americas, China and East Asia and is closely linked to poverty. Infections can lead to nutrient deficiency, anaemia, and impaired growth, thus children and adolescents are especially vulnerable to these detrimental effects. Soil-transmitted helminth infections are caused by several species of parasitic worms. One of them is the whipworm Trichuris trichiura."

07.10.2022

Organizations that bring science to impact – new actors for Sustainable Development?

Swiss TPH "Currently, world leaders are convening at the 77th United Nations General Assembly in New York. In parallel, the Science Summit is being held, with the central theme being the role and contribution of science in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Jasmina Saric reflects on the emergence, role and future of organisations that combine research and implementation for sustainable development. New findings on this topic will be presented at the Science Summit in a session convened by Swiss TPH."

12.09.2022

Coping with emerging public health problems

Interview with Nicole Probst-Hensch, Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at Swiss TPH

Swiss TPH "Around a quarter of the population in Switzerland suffers from chronic diseases. These are some of the most frequent causes of death and cause physical and mental stress as well as high health care costs. Swiss TPH has extensive expertise in long-term studies involving biobanks that conduct research into chronic diseases and the impact of behavioural and environmental factors. Samples stored in biobanks and linked to the health data of the sample donors supply the evidence for successful prevention and health promotion. They also help us to understand the long-term health impacts of air pollution, heatwaves, traffic noise or chemicals. Swiss TPH is therefore making an important contribution to health monitoring in collaboration with other research institutions. In addition, biobanks are also the bedrock of medical progress in the early detection and diagnosis of chronic diseases, especially in cooperation with private companies."

04.08.2022

The significance of effective communication in times of COVID-19

Swiss TPH "Access to information is a basic human right. In times of crisis, timely and accurate information plays an important role in controlling a situation. Our partners of the AQH project share how effective communication saved lives during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kosovo. In Kosovo, as in many other places worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic was accompanied by another contagious phenomenon, namely disinformation or fake news. Conspiracy theories around COVID-19 vaccines also met interest in Kosovo and the wider Balkan region."

04.08.2022

Digital Tool Improves Quality of Care for Children

Swiss TPH "Digital tools are critical to improve the care for sick children, particularly in resource-constrained settings. In a new study, Swiss TPH and partners were able to show the positive impact of a digital clinical decision support system on improving the management of childhood illness in primary care in Nigeria. The findings, published in BMJ Open, support the use of digital tools for health systems strengthening on a broader scale."

08.07.2022

Nicole Probst-Hensch erhält Wissenschaftspreis der Stadt Basel

Swiss TPH "Nicole Probst-Hensch, Leiterin des Departements «Epidemiology and Public Health» am Swiss TPH wird von der Stadt Basel mit dem diesjährige Wissenschaftspreis ausgezeichnet. Sie erhält den Preis für ihre bahnbrechenden Forschungen über die Auswirkungen der Luftverschmutzung auf die menschliche Gesundheit und ihre Leistungen im Aufbau von Biobanken und Langzeit-Kohortenstudien."

01.06.2022

Swiss TPH Awarded Four New Research Grants in Paediatric Health

Swiss TPH "Swiss TPH has been awarded four out of six new research grants from the Principal Investigator Initiative of the Botnar Research Centre for Child Health (BRCCH). The initiative aims to drive interdisciplinary research that addresses critical challenges in global paediatric health and medicine. (...) The projects bring together researchers from its partner institutions and international partners to deliver innovations and intervention strategies for paediatric health diagnosis, disease treatment and prevention on a global scale. Swiss TPH and partners were successful in this highly competitive call, and will obtain funding for four out of six exciting research projects. Each project is supported with up to CHF 1 million for a duration of four years."