STATUS:
Established in 1986,the SMRU is a field station attached to the
Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Mahidol University,Bangkok,
Thailand and
is part of the Wellcome
-Oxford-Mahidol-University-Research Programme.
LOCATION:
Shoklo is in an area with endemic malaria on the
Thai-Burmese
border, 100 Kilo-meter of Maesot. Maela is the
largest camp,60 kilo
-meter from Maesot.
BENEFICIARIES:
Refugees living along the Thai-Burnese border(Karens,Mons
and
Karennis).
OBJECTIVES:
１.To treat and care for patients with malaria in the camps.
２.To define the epidemiology,entomology,and clinical features of
malaria in this area of low(unstable)transmission, and to
determine
the best methods of prevrention and treatment.
３.To advise the Non-Governmental Organization(MSF,MHD,IRC,AMI,ARC)
involved in the treatment of malaria in the area.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES:
The projects are designed to be of direct benefit to the local
community,and also to provide infomation useful to other
populations
living in malaria endmic areas elsewhere in the
world.
PROJECT AREAS:
１.Malaria in Pregnancy and Infancy
２.Chemotherapeutic Trials
３.Entomology
４.Malaria Vaccine Trial
５.Nutrition and Anaemia
６.Immunological studies
NUMBER OF PROJECTS:
Over 20 research project. Current projects include:optimizing
the
treatment of milti drug resistant malaria,investigating new
antimalarial drugs,ante natal care,a vaccine trial against
falciparum
malaria,epidemiological surveys,studies on entomology
and genetics of
drug resistance.
STAFF:
More than 200 Karen(Nurses,Midwives,Medics,Lab-technicians,
Data
entry clerks,Administrator,Acconuting officer,Home-visitors,
Drivers,
Cleaners)and 6 expatriates( 5 doctors,1 Research
Immunologist)
FUNDING BODIES:
Various sources including: The Wellcome Trust,the World Health
Organization(WHO),the Dutch Government(WOTRO),the Pevention Foundation
(the Netherlands),US Army Malaria Vaccine Programme(WRAIR),the
Europeen
Union(EU),pharmaceutical companies and other miscellaneous
sources.
LONG-TERM PLANS:
To continue to provide malaria clinics and conduct community based
research to elucidate the best methods of malaria control,
against a
backdrop of ever increasing drug resistance. However
these plans are
compromised by recent political instablity and
deteriorating security
conditions.Although the situation seems
under control in the displaced
populations, there is a great
concern that further disruptions or
population movements could
lead to devastating epidemics and spread of
resistant malaria to
neigbouring populations.
FOR WHOM IT MAY HAVE INTEREST, or CONCERN TO HELP,
Touch to SHOKLO MALARIA RESEACH UNIT, MAESOT OFFICE.
PO,Box-46.MAESOT TAK 63110 THAILAND.
/tel,fax:(66-55)531-531.
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MOBILE CLINIC TEAM