Tenth birthday of the Public Health Laboratory Ivo de Carneri in Pemba (Zanzibar, Tanzania)
Insert in News the day June 11, 2010
Ten years of activities. Tomorrow, June 12, 2010, the Public Health Laboratory Ivo de Carneri (PHL-IdC) in Pemba (Zanzibar archipelago, Tanzania) reaches the milestone of ten years from the official start of activities.
The priority of the early years of the Ivo de Carneri Foundation, non-governmental organization engaged in international health cooperation, research and training, was the construction of a public health laboratory in Pemba. The project was based on Ivo de Carneri’s intuition of 1988, born during a mission on behalf of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was engaged in a campaign to control schistosomiasis in Pemba. Built between 1998 and 1999, the PHL-IdC is dedicated to Ivo de Carneri from the Zanzibar authorities and operates in three main areas: control plans, operational research and training. In 2005 it was recognized as World Health Organization – WHO Collaborating Centre for Schistosomiasis and Intestinal Parasitic Infections.
With 40 local people employed and about 300 operators on the field, the PHL-IDC supports the local government in control and prevention programmes for endemic diseases and research trials based on local health priorities. The effects of these interventions are more easily assessed, since an island is an easily measurable environment because of its natural borders, and the results provide useful information applicable to other contexts and countries. Infectious and parasitic diseases are treatable if diagnosed in time on the basis of accurate laboratory tests: the PHL-IdC therefore plays a central and fundamental role.
Through the PHL-IdC training projects are carried out, a key element to achieve a scientific research and an health care based on the internal resources of the country. This includes training of the same PHL-IdC staff and the organization each year of an international course addressed to health operators from the South and the North of the world (this year from July 26 to August 6), “Management of Programmes for Communicable Diseases Control in Sub-Saharan Africa”.
For information:
Valeria Confalonieri
Scientific Communication
Tel. 0039 02 28 900 393/401
v.confalonieri@fondazionedecarneri.it
www.fondazionedecarneri.it/en
World TB Day 2010. The PHL-IdC activities on the Island of Pemba
Insert in News the day March 24, 2010
The World TB Day dedicated to tuberculosis (TB), which falls on March 24th, brings the latest data on the multidrug resistant cases of the disease. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Report released on March 18th, in some areas of the world, one in four people with TB has is a case resistant to standard drugs regimens, and this is the highest level ever reported to WHO. March 24th was the day when, in 1882, Robert Koch reported the discovery of the TB bacillus. This is why this date was chosen to raise awareness on TB.
The Public Health Laboratory Ivo de Carneri (PHL-IdC) on the Island of Pemba (Zanzibar, Tanzania), built by Ivo de Carneri Foundation and run in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Zanzibar, works in the field of TB diagnosis and has recently been recognized as the National reference laboratory for this disease, thanks to the activities started in 2007 on TB diagnosis.
The PHL-IdC, officially launched on June 12th 2000, this year has reached the milestone of ten years of research and training on the endemic diseases in the Island, and in Sub-Saharan Africa, thanks to the work of local staff and national and international collaborations. In 2005 it was recognized WHO Collaborating Centre for Schistosomiasis and Intestinal Parasitic Infections; this new acknowledgement for TB marks the increasingly important role within the Zanzibar health system.
For information:
Ivo de Carneri Foundation
tel. 0039 02 28 900 393/401
info@fondazionedecarneri.it
World Water Day 2010. Safe water for the Island of Pemba
Insert in News the day March 22, 2010
Almost 39 percent of the world’s population, over 2.6 billion of people, mainly in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, live without improved sanitation facilities, according to WHO and UNICEF (WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme, Progress on Sanitation and Drinking-Water – 2010 Update Report). Access to safe water is still not guaranteed in some parts of the world. World Water Day 2010, held on March 22, calls the attention to the connection between safe water and health, as the theme Clean water for a Healthy World highlights. As a matter of fact, many diseases can be transmitted through contaminated water: the WHO reports that almost one billion people have no access to safe water; the use of unsafe water and the lack of adequate sanitation are responsible for almost 2 million annual deaths from diarrhoeal diseases; more than 50 countries still report cholera cases each year.
The Ivo de Carneri Foundation has been carrying on a project involving water since 2005, when the rehabilitation of water sources was started on the island of Pemba (Zanzibar archipelago, Tanzania). The project has been divided into different phases and developed in collaboration with the Department of Public Health, Microbiology and Virology – University of Milan, Ingegneria Senza Frontiere Trento and locally with the Public Health Laboratory Ivo de Carneri and the Zanzibar Water Authority. Between 2005 and 2006 (Phase 1), the quality of water sources in a selected district of the island was evaluated. Moreover, the local staff was trained and interventions in health education were made. Between 2007 and 2009 (Phase 2), primary water sources and water pipes were renovated in order to make them suitable for the distribution of drinking water. Furthermore, new wells were built and the water supply network was extended. Meanwhile, the Ivo de Carneri Foundation carried on with its educational activities addressed to the local community, in order to inform the population about water safety and the use of water. The third phase of the project will imply interventions on a small island near Pemba, called Kojani, where water supply is inadequate and where there are cholera outbreaks.
For information:
Ivo de Carneri Foundation
tel. 0039 02 28 900 393/401
info@fondazionedecarneri.it
Ivo de Carneri Award 2010
Insert in News the day March 17, 2010
The Ivo de Carneri Foundation announces an Award for the year 2010 to recognize a PhD or post-graduated course thesis of outstanding quality, in the field of parasitology. Such Award is restricted to graduates from Sub-Saharan Africa. The hard copy of the application and the documents should be sent by 15 May 2010. The Award will be given at the XXVI National Congress of the Società Italiana di Parassitologia, which will be held in Perugia, 22-25 June 2010.
For additional information, please download the attached document.
For information:
Ivo de Carneri Foundation
tel. 0039 02 28 900 393/401
info@fondazionedecarneri.it
Spot on malaria in television
Insert in News the day February 2, 2010
From 7 to 13 February 2010, the Ivo de Carneri Foundation will be present on the Mediaset networks with its spot on malaria. Realized to raise awareness on this parasitic disease and the number of deaths linked to it every day, the 30-second video will be shown as part of the space allowed free on Mediaset campaigns of social utility.
Every year, malaria affects about 250 million and kills nearly one million people worldwide, of which most are children. The Ivo de Carneri Foundation realizes health interventions in poor countries, especially against parasitic diseases and poverty diseases. Among these, since the 2003 the Foundation supports a Dispensary where maternal child care is offered free of charge, with an average of 100 examinations every day for three days a week. In addition to the local surgery, on two days of the week there is a mobile service that runs a car to reach remote places to assist people who cannot get to the dispensary.
Towards a new operating theatre
Insert in News the day January 28, 2010
It’s almost finished the renovation to have a new operating theatre at the Chake Chake hospital (Pemba island, Zanzibar, Tanzania). Until now a single operating theatre has been used for both general surgery and obstetric emergencies. Often obstetric emergencies interrupted the planned general surgery, causing troubles and delay to the patients and their family.
The Ivo de Carneri Foundation, already engaged in a project to support the surgical ward (Surgery Project), is now supporting also this renovating project and a new operating theatre is almost ready to be used for delivery.
Final steps for the solar panels
Insert in News the day January 22, 2010
The works aimed at providing the Public Health Laboratory Ivo de Carneri in Pemba (Zanzibar Archipelago – Tanzania) with solar panels go ahead quickly.
This project will allow the Laboratory to have continuous power supply, overcoming the weighty obstacle represented by the frequent blackouts. At present, in fact, the electrical power depends on the only power station situated in Pemba, supplied by a ship from Tanzania.
The blackouts, which happen on average every other day, require the use of emergency generators, resulting in very high economic cost.
The project involves the installation of solar panels that will provide the electric power needed to make the various equipment work even in case that power supply breaks off, with the single exception of freezers at -80° C (which require the electricity provided by a diesel generator).
The supply, installation and maintenance of the solar panels have been committed to a Tanzanian company, which has performed similar actions on the island before. The installation of the panels has already started.
The Foundation at the AIFO Conference: Becoming People
Insert in News the day October 20, 2009
The Ivo de Carneri Foundation participated at the AIFO International Conference AIFO (Associazione Italiana Amici di Raoul Follereau) Becoming People, which was organized in Assisi, October 16-18, 2009.
The Conference, divided into Plenary sessions and Workshops, has given voices to different actions and thoughts centered on the person, his dignity, his rights, including the right to health and to access to care. As part of the Workshops, Valeria Confalonieri, who follows the Ivo de Carneri Foundation’s scientific communication, has participated as a speaker at the Workshop on Integrity, who has studied health as one of the components involved in the integrity of people, to guarantee to everyone in the world.
The Ivo de Carneri Foundation at the International Congress of MAGI Association
Insert in News the day September 22, 2009
The Ivo de Carneri Foundation has been invited at the 4th International Congress of MAGI Association 2009, which took place in Dro (Trento, Italy) on September 18-19th. The Congress, with the title “Medical-scientific priorities of our society and health care needs of developing countries molecular medicine and developing countries”, was attended by representatives of scientific research and of health cooperation in developing countries.
Friday, September 18th, Alessandra Carozzi de Carneri, President of the Ivo de Carneri Foundation, had the speech entitled “Challenges of promoting Research and Training in Sub-Saharan Africa: Learning from Experience”, with a report on the Foundation’s experience in Africa on research and training, especially at the Public Health Laboratory Ivo de Carneri in Pemba (Zanzibar, Tanzania).
Leaving for Pemba
Insert in News the day September 17, 2009
In Pemba (Zanzibar, Tanzania), for the start of the course and of the new projects, as well as the update of the current ones. These are the main goals of the representatives of the Ivo de Carneri Foundation, leaving for the island on September 18th and 19th: Marco Albonico (Secretary General and Scientific Director), Deborah Cocorullo (Project Manager) and Camilla Veronese (events and fundraising).
While on the island, among other activities, trials on new diagnostic methods and drugs for parasitic diseases will be launched and the progress of some projects will be assessed. Among them, the details of the installation of solar panels at the Public Health Laboratory Ivo de Carneri in Pemba will be finalized: the works are expected to start soon, with a local firm (of Tanzania), which also ensures training of a local worker for maintenance works and a visit every two years for verifying the proper conditions of the panels. The renovation work of the Gombani dispensary for mother and children supported by the Foundation since 2003) will also be evaluated, as well as the progress of the project for safe water in some district of Pemba and the project on strengthening surveillance of endemic diseases in Zanzibar. Finally, from September 28th to October 9th, sixth edition of the training course “Management of programmes for communicable diseases control in Subsaharan Africa” will take place, addressed at European and African healthcare professionals, annually organized by the Ivo de Carneri Foundation with the participation of local and international experts.
HMIS project: in the middle of the journey
Insert in News the day July 13, 2009
In the first six months of the project on rehabilitation of the diseases surveillance system in the archipelago of Zanzibar, some goals have already been achieved: in particular, the location of the operational unit of the Health Management Information System (HMIS) at the Public Health Laboratory Ivo de Carneri (PHL-IdC) as epidemiologic reference center in Pemba, and the implementation of a training course in epidemiology for HMIS health personnel.
The course has involved, for 10 consecutive days, 22 operators in Unguja and, 10 days later, 24 operators in Pemba. Initially the course provided an overview of the health status in developing countries (with particular attention to Sub-Saharan Africa countries ), to give an indication of the objectives to be achieved through a correct and continuous monitoring of the health status. The key role played by a computerized system for health data collection in Zanzibar was also highlighted. The second part of the course was focused on acquiring epidemiological skills which allow to calculate the major indicators of health status in a population. Although the course was focused on theoretical concepts, not always easy to understand, people involved have shown a remarkable capacity of interaction and concentration, that has produces excellent results.
For information:
info@fondazionedecarneri.it
tel. 02 28 900 393
tel. / fax 02 28 900 401
A new “dress” for the Mother and Child Clinic
Insert in News the day July 8, 2009
The renovation of the Mother and Child Clinic of Gombani on Pemba Island (Zanzibar, Tanzania) has almost been completed. The Ivo de Carneri Foundation, together with the St Andrew’s Clinics for Children in Glasgow (UK), supports the activities of the Clinic since 2003. An average of 100 visits a day are performed, through the support also of a mobile clinic which reaches the most remote areas of the island. The renovation, which began in September 2008, is almost complete, with only the electrical installation to be finalized.
The Clinic, addressed at mothers and children, offers e refurbished waiting and visiting rooms for a more accurate activity of diseases prevention and treatment. During the renovation works, mothers and children were assisted in another public health centre, to ensure the continuity of care.
For information:
info@fondazionedecarneri.it
tel. 02 28 900 393
tel. / fax. 02 28 900 401
Towards clean water
Insert in News the day July 6, 2009
The project “Safe Water for the Island of Pemba” is going on, with the completion of the lying of pipes for water delivery. Renovation of pumping stations in on-going, by replacement of the worn out parts and construction of fences. To make the use of water safe, the purchase of chlorine dosing machine is also about to be finalized. The quality of 9 additional water pumping stations was analyzed; the water was found contaminated by bacteria in all stations. Finally, for the health education, training activities for teachers of primary and secondary schools were carried out. These teachers will have a role in the transfer of information to their colleagues, children and, through them, families.
For information:
info@fondazionedecarneri.it
tel. +39 02 28 900 393
tel. / fax. +39 02 28 900 401
The solidarity beyond the Giro
Insert in News the day June 30, 2009
On May 31, in Rome, the adventure of the Ivo de Carneri Foundation in the Giro d’Italia ended. The Foundation thanks all those who came to visit us at the stand and all people who have made our presence at this event marked by the attention to the world of solidarity.
At the final stage of the Tour, in Rome, the Foundation has also had the pleasure of the visit of the cycling world champion Maurizio Fondriest, to whom the Foundation ows a special thanks for his availability and support.
To remeber this event, the T-shirts to witness the participation of the Foundation at the Giro d’Italia in 2009 have been realized, and are available in various sizes. There are also, as limited edition, the same T-shirt autographed by Maurizio Fondriest.
All the donations will support the Ivo de Carneri Foundation’s activities.
For information:
info@fondazionedecarneri.it
tel. 02 28 900 393
tel. / fax 02 28 900 401
New surgeons in Chake Chake hospital
Insert in News the day February 17, 2009
The surgery project is ongoing. Started in Pemba (Zanzibar, Tanzania) at the end of 2007 by the “Ivo de Carneri Foundation”, it’s now in its second year of activities.
The project was launched as a consequence of the shortage of personnel, materials and equipment at Chake Chake Hospital. It intends to support the general surgery service in Chake Chake hospital.
In this first year, equipment was shipped to Pemba and Italian surgeons arrived to the hospital for surgical activity and training of the understaffed local personnel.
In these first 14 months, four Italians surgeons worked at the Chake Chake Hospital, for a minimum of two months each.
The expatriated personnel worked in a very collaborative and supportive environment.
The mission of the most recent surgeon arriving in Pemba started in January of this year (2009). Even if the situation is still critical, there have been some general improvements in the overall organization and logistics: rehabilitation of the roof of surgical theatre and the post-operating ward, continuous supply of essential drugs, reintegration of a second anesthetist.
Little steps in a direction that we hope will carry on and lead to a permanent change in the surgical assistance to Pemba’s population.
Diseases surveillance: first departures to Pemba
Insert in News the day January 28, 2009
The project “Rehabilitation of the Health Management Information System (HMIS) for endemic and epidemic diseases in Zanzibar” has started: at the beginning of February the logistician will arrive in Pemba, followed in a short time by the project manager and the teaching-consultant in epidemiology.
In Zanzibar a lot of children are malnourished and with anaemia, which is even more serious for the spread of malaria, parasitic diseases, tuberculosis, leprosy, filariasis, diarrhoea, respiratory infections. Knowledge of endemic and epidemic diseases in a country allow to implement more punctual control and prevention strategic plans. The Ivo de Carneri Foundation’s new project supports the reform of the HMIS promoted by the local Health Ministry (MoHSW) and launched in 2005.
The Public Health Laboratory Ivo de Carneri will become the operational unit of the HMIS for data collection and analysis in Pemba; at the same time the MoHSW District infrastructures will be strengthen by providing equipment for data collection and analysis and local health personnel will be trained for epidemiologic surveillance. The project is co-financed by the Italian Cooperation.
Together for 15 years
Insert in News the day January 19, 2009
2009 is a special year for the Ivo de Carneri Foundation: it marks 15th years activities since its birth.
The Ivo de Carneri Foundation was established in 1994, in October, after the unexpected death of Ivo de Carneri, Chair of Parasitology, University of Pavia, and Consultant for the World Health Organization for intestinal parasitic infections. The construction of the Public Health Laboratory-Ivo de Carneri on Pemba Island (Zanzibar, Tanzania), whose activities started in 2000, is one of the Foundation’s first projects. Further projects have followed in the public health sector, in support to the local community of Pemba (in collaboration with the Zanzibar’s Ministry of Health), along with projects in Asia (Vietnam and Nepal) and Italy.
Together for 15 years in international cooperation, research and training. Together for the prevention and treatment of neglected diseases, to give a better future to millions of people.
Success for a Solidarity Musical Event
Insert in Events, News the day June 16, 2008
Thursday May 22, there was a big solidarity concert, Due cori per l’Africa (Two Choirs for Africa) at the Church of San Marco in Milan, Italy, attended by a big and enthusiastic audience.
First out was the Coro Bach of Milan, with 42 members, under the direction of the Choral director Sandro Rodeghiero, who performed Komm Jesu, komm by Johann Sebastian Bach and Magnificat by Johann Pachelbel.
It was followed by the performance of the Hesston College Choral, from the U.S., visiting Italy on their European Tour: 29 members directed by the two Choral directors Bradley Kauffman and Kenneth Rodgers, performing several musical pieces from their polyphonic repertoire (Washington by William Billings, Shout to God by David Gerig, Alleluia by Randall Thomson among others) and some spirituals.
Several musical pieces were accompanied on organ by the director Kenneth Rodgers.
The evening ended with a performance by the two choirs together of My God is so High (spiritual) by Moses Hogan, repeated also as an encore on request, and Herivimskaja pesn by Petr Ilic Chajkovskij.
The income of this event support the Ivo de Carneri Foundation’s health cooperation projects in Africa, more specifically for control programmes against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).