The Kintampo Health Research Centre (KHRC) has been awarded the 2008 Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation in recognition of its contribution to the fight against malaria in sub-Saharan Africa.  The good news was released on Wednesday, May 28, 2008, by the jury for the 2008 Prince of Asturias Award at its meeting held in Oviendo.

The Prince of Asturias Foundation was formed by His Royal Highness, the Prince of Asturias, heir to the throne of Spain. It has conferred its awards since 1981. The awards are intended to acknowledge scientific, technical, cultural, social and humanitarian work carried out internationally by individuals, groups or in the categories of communication and humanities, social sciences, arts, letters, scientific and technical research, international cooperation, concord and sports.

The award has previously been won by renowned organizations like UNICEF, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; British Council –UK and Cable News Network (CNN); and individuals such as Nelson Mandela of South Africa and Mikhail Gorbachov.

The Kintampo Health Research Centre was established in 1994 by the late Dr. Paul Arthur, as one of the health research centres of the Ghana Health Service. It has developed one of the largest district surveillance systems. Since 2006, the Centre has been testing a malaria vaccine under international standards in the Kintampo North and South Districts. The malaria vaccine was created in 1987 and has been developed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Biologicals in close collaboration with Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in the USA. It would potentially be beneficial in controlling malaria in Africa if found effective.

In his reaction to the award the Director of the Centre, Dr. Seth Owusu-Agyei stated that this was good news indeed for KHRC and he was proud of his staff and happy that the good work has been recognized.

Three other health research centres have also been awarded the 2008 Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation. They include The Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, in Mozambique, directed by Drs. Pedro Alonso and Clara Menéndez; The Ifakara Health Research and Development Centre, in Tanzania, directed by Dr. Hassan Mshinda and The Malaria Research and Training Center, in Mali, directed by Dr. Ogobara Doumbo.

Follow the link below for more information:
http://www.fundacionprincipedeasturias.org/ing/index.html

Friday May 30, 2008