iii aids Panama's bid to eradicate Malaria
Published: 6 December 2019
The Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation's Professor Matthias Marti recently made a return visit to the Central American country as part of an ongoing collaboration in research and education on infectious and non-communicable diseases in the Darien and Veraguas provinces.
The Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation's Professor Matthias Marti recently made a return visit to Panama as part of an ongoing collaboration in research and education on infectious and non-communicable diseases.
Scotland and the Central American nation share a colourful history dating back to the ill-fated 'Darien scheme' of the late 17th century.
While the enterprise was short lived, remains of the Scottish port and the settlement of New Caledonia are still present on the shores of the Caribbean Sea at San Blas islands.
This past October, Professor Marti visited the Darien and Veraguas provinces as part of continuing research in malaria epidemiology in remote regions of Panama.
He has, for the past decade, collaborated with Dr Nicanor Obaldia III and colleagues at the Gorgas Memorial Institute in Panama City, as well as the Ministry of Health.
With support from the Panamanian Secretary of Science, Technology and Innovation (SENACYT), they study the transmission of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium vivax.
In that period of partnership, Panama has seen a significant decline in malaria incidence, and the country aims to eliminate P. falciparum and P. vivax within the next decade - an aspiration that will be supported by the University of Glasgow.
Prof Marti said: "The October visit was an opportunity to discuss further collaborations between the Gorgas Institute and SENACYT. There is great interest for new collaborative agreements in research and education.
"A symposium on infectious diseases and non-communicable disease in Panama, with participation of representatives from the University of Glasgow was discussed, as well as a visit by SENACYT and Gorgas representatives in Scotland."
First published: 6 December 2019