Health Studies
FORUM STUDIES
Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) Workshop/Project
ASSAf in collaboration with the Institutes of Medicine (IOM – USA) is planning to host a workshop on Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in February 2010 (in Pretoria, South Africa). The South African Liaison Planning Committee of experts in this field has been set-up and they have already potential topics and issues that will need to be addressed at the workshop.
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) for African Agriculture: Opportunities and Challenges
ASSAf, in collaboration with the Union of German Academies of Sciences and Humanities, the Network of African Science Academies and the Uganda National Academies of Sciences, was awarded funding from IAP to undertake a one-year project that will engage African scientists in assessing the current challenges, opportunities and risks associated with the use of Genetically Modified Organisms [GMOs]. The project will be extended for another two years depending on the progress made in year one. ASSAf Council approved that the project be carried out under the umbrella of the Poverty Alleviation Committee.
Improving Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) in Africa
As a contribution to the ASADI V International Conference on Improving Maternal, Newborn and Child Health in Africa to be held on 8-11 November 2009 (in Accra, GHANA), ASSAf hosted a two-day workshop (in Pretoria, South Africa) also titled: ‘Improving Maternal, Newborn and Child Health in Africa’ on 16-17 March 2009. The workshop served as a forum for experts, where they presented and discussed what is known about interventions for improving MNCH in Africa. The project is being carried out under the umbrella of the Poverty Alleviation Committee. The workshop was also the base where the production of a short booklet/publication that will be suitable for use by policy-makers was discussed.
Latest Maternal, Newborn and Child Health updates > > >
CONSENSUS STUDIES
Improved Nutritional Assessment of Populations and Individuals, with a focus on six key micronutrients
One of the key findings of the ASSAf Consensus Report on ‘HIV/AIDS, TB and Nutrition [2007]’ was the national deficit in modern nutritional assessment methods, particularly tests of micronutrient status, and whether they were reliable, affordable and helpful. Therefore, a second Consensus Panel has been set up to address this question, seeking to identify the best assessment modes to contribute to the prevention and treatment of these pandemic infectious conditions in the country. The six micronutrients that are being studied are: vitamins A and D, folate, and the trace elements zinc, iron and selenium.
Latest Nutritional Assessment updates > > >
Clinical Research and Related Training in South Africa
Pharmaceutical Industry Association of South Africa (PIASA), in 2007, made a recommendation to ASSAf: to work towards raising awareness of the value of good scientific clinical research to South Africa at top levels of government and academia, including the benefits of having research units at universities and hospitals, and the retention of research scientists in the country. Following this request, ASSAf members [and staff] prepared a proposal and a 13 member consensus panel was set-up to tackle the project.
Latest Clinical Research updates >>
Biosafety
A Biosafety committee that would be given the task of overseeing all components of biosafety including biorisks, biotechnology, bioethics, as well as Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) in South Africa is currently in the process of being established.
Latest Bio Safety updates > > >
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