PlenaryTalk two

Malaria Research in Africa:: 

Malaria Research in Africa: Building the Network and Connecting the Dots By Julia Royall Chief, International Programs U.S. National Library of Medicine Presented to NSF IT for Africa Workshop Arlington, Virginia January 27, 2005

Slide2: 

A Brief Overview of MIMCom

Mandate from Malaria Researchers at seminal meeting in Dakar, Senegal in 1997: 

Mandate from Malaria Researchers at seminal meeting in Dakar, Senegal in 1997 Full access to Internet Access to medical literature

Internet Access: 

Internet Access 19 sites in 9 countries VSAT shared bandwidth Local ISPs New broadband solutions

Training Workshops: Technical TrainingSearching for Researchers: 

Training Workshops: Technical Training Searching for Researchers Kilifi, Kenya: June 2002

Document Delivery Service: 

Document Delivery Service

Websites Supporting Research Agendas: 

Websites Supporting Research Agendas

MIMCom Partnerships: 

MIMCom Partnerships

MIMCom Web Site Advisory Committee: 

MIMCom Web Site Advisory Committee Abdoulaye Djimde Mali Andrew Githeko Kenya Louis Gouagna Kenya Saadou si. Issifou Gabon Moses Kamya Uganda Fred Kironde Uganda Kojo Koram Ghana Martha Lemnge Tanzania Wilfred Mbacham Cameroon Michel Missinou Gabon David Ofori-Adjei Ghana

Internal & External Evaluations: 

Internal & External Evaluations Independent Panel charged by MIM Secretariat at NIH in September 2002 with conducting an independent review of the Multilateral Initiative on Malaria. MIM Secretariat Evaluation, survey of researchers working in Africa conducted in December 2002. NLM Evaluation

Evaluation Conclusions: 

Evaluation Conclusions MIMCom is making a significant difference in the professional performance of individual researchers Collaborations with colleagues Short courses Proposals written and funded Papers written and published Clinical trials E-mail access Counteracting isolation & self-esteem issues Africa-to-Africa connection needs strengthening

Slide12: 

The MIMCom Network Today

Locations of MIMCom Sites: 

Locations of MIMCom Sites

Potential MIMCom Network: 

Potential MIMCom Network

Potential MIMCom Network: 

Potential MIMCom Network Technical How to connect the sites? Behavioral Usage like a gas expanding to fill space Appropriate use of a limited resource

Slide16: 

Refocusing MIMCom on Medical Informatics

Slide17: 

Dots on a Map Successful Outcomes

Professor Ayoade Oduola Functional Coordinator WHO/TDR : 

Professor Ayoade Oduola Functional Coordinator WHO/TDR

Dr. C.T. Happi Malaria Researcher: 

Dr. C.T. Happi Malaria Researcher

Fundamental Considerations: 

Fundamental Considerations Can IT intervention make a difference in the morbidity & mortality of malaria? Is the goal more dots on a map or a change in health? Is the network an internet café or a scientific tool? How do we use the tool? What actions need to be performed in order to reach the desired outcome (better health)?

Information Technology: 

Information Technology A challenge A responsibility Not an answer

Scientific Aims: 

Scientific Aims Antimalarial Drug Resistance Network: To share raw data Severe Malaria in African Children Network: To get large samples

Process Aims: 

Process Aims To develop collaborations with other MIM PI’s Vector Resistance Network: To coordinate 8 African institutes Noguchi & Buea: regular consultation with collaborators

Outcomes: 

Outcomes Strong researchers Strong research sites Improvement in health & medicine As a result of this, this happened As a contribution to this, this happened

Goals: 

Goals Supporting research agendas Africanizing MIMCom leadership Identifying talented individuals Providing means to increase relevant skills

Malaria Research Network: 

Malaria Research Network

Communication Links Between Partners in Research: 

Communication Links Between Partners in Research

Slide28: 

Network Snapshots

Dr. Andrew Githeko Senior Scientist & Climatologist Kenya: 

Dr. Andrew Githeko Senior Scientist & Climatologist Kenya

Nathan Mensah Data manager Ghana: 

Nathan Mensah Data manager Ghana

Tom Oluoch Systems Operator Kenya: 

Tom Oluoch Systems Operator Kenya

Regina Shakakata Medical librarian: 

Regina Shakakata Medical librarian

Slide33: 

“The internet is a reflection of our society and that mirror is going to be reflecting what we see. If we do not like what we see in that mirror the problem is not to fix the mirror, we have to fix society.” —Internet pioneer Vint Cerf

Slide34: 

MIMCom

Slide35: 

MIMCom

Slide36: 

“When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion.” - Ethiopian adage Picture by: Gerry Killeen