Further research on malaria in Africa

14.12.2021

Prof. Krzysztof Korzeniewski from the Division of Tropical Medicine & Epidemiology of the Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine and the University Centre of Maritime and Tropical Medicine of the Medical University of Gdańsk in November and December 2021 conducted research on malaria spreading in East Africa. Study group included over 500 patients of Al Rahma hospital which agreed to host the scientific programme implemented by the Polish party. Project Analysis of malarial prevalence in Zanzibar has been accepted by the Ethics Committee of the Zanzibar Health Research Institute. Research in tourist destinantions in Africa, often visited by Poles, are being conducted under the programme Analiza rozpowszechnienia gatunków Plasmodium w Afryce Subsaharyjskiej oraz dobór optymalnych metod diagnostycznych w aspekcie zawlekania malarii do Polski (Analysis of Plasmodium species spreading i Sub-Saharan Africa and selection of optimal diagnostic methods in the aspect of dragging malaria to Poland.

Prof. Krzysztof Korzeniewski (second from the left in the lower row) with research team

Research on Zanzibar is a continuation of project of the Ministry of Education and Science implemented in the Central African Republic (Cameroon and Congo border region). Programme’s first part’s study group includes Pygmies from the forest ecosystem and citizens of villages in Bayanga sub-prefecture in south-western part of country. In March 2022 Prof. Korzeniewski plans to continue research focused on malaria prevalence in touristic destinations among Masai population in northern Tanzania.

According to World Health Organization (World Malaria Report 2020) estimations, 94% of all infections and deaths due to malaria occurs in Africa.

Photo: MIM, Prof. Krzysztof Korzeniewski