Institute of Tropical Health, the name of the centre that researches neglected diseases at the University of Navarre
Instituto de Salud Tropical, nombre del centro que investiga las enfermedades olvidadas en la Universidad de Navarra
Institute of Tropical Health, the name of the centre that researches neglected diseases at the University of Navarre
The team of scientists will include more than 50 professionals, including researchers and technicians.
The center researching neglected diseases at the University of Navarra will be called high school de Salud Tropical. This high school, promoted through the Foundation for Applied Medical research , aims to find solutions to problems that afflict the poorest countries, especially women and children. These diseases are present in about 150 countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia, affect more than 1 billion people and 3 billion individuals are at risk of suffering from them, causing great impact partner-health.
"The high school of Tropical Health of the University of Navarra will consist of 3 units of research divided into 5 laboratories, which will focus on the study of parasitic, bacterial and viral diseases. Initially it will deal with 3 pathologies, Chagas disease, brucellosis and leishmaniasis. The center is also particularly committed to the training of the health staff and researcher, as well as to the transfer of technologies", explains Dr. Paul Nguewa, director of the center. The team of scientists working on these pandemics is expected to consist of more than 50 professionals, including researchers and technicians.
The high school will have an annual budget of 1.5 million euros. According to Matías Jurado Álvarez, General Manager of the center, "following the experience of CIMA, its funding will be public, through competitive projects, and private, through private donations".
The new center promotes a scientific research aimed at improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of these diseases, in order to contribute to their eradication. The goal is to help countries at development to participate in the study of these diseases, to promote the training of their scientists and health agents and to transfer technological knowledge. It was born from the experience of the University of Navarra which, through the Schools of Sciences, Pharmacy, Medicine and Nursing, the research center Applied Medicine (CIMA), the research center in Applied Pharmacobiology (CIFA) and the Clínica Universidad de NavarraThe research has been focused for decades on some of the so-called "neglected diseases". Currently, the group of work collaborates with 20 centers of research and universities in 15 countries.
The report of the World Health Organization (WHO) on world health 2010 highlights that good health is fundamental to human well-being and sustainable economic and social development . To this end, it encourages the creation of an action agenda for countries at all stages of development. It encourages support for the efforts of low-income countries to achieve universal coverage and improve health outcomes.
Aware of the role of the university as a true economic, social, cultural and health engine, the high school of Tropical Health of the University of Navarra aims to become an international reference letter in the study of health and neglected diseases.