The MRC unit in The Gambia has outlined new plans for the next five years, which will include focusing its science on three new themed areas: Child Survival, Disease Control and Elimination, and Vaccines.Recruitment of scientists to lead these three themed research areas is now underway, and theme leaders are expected to be appointed in February. In December, the unit’s plan, developed over the course of the last year, was reviewed and endorsed by the MRC’s Strategy Board and Council.

Professor Tumani Corrah, Director of the unit, explains:
“These themes have been selected to build upon our existing strengths, to target national health needs and to reinforce sub-regional and international collaboration. They will also address some of the current priorities in the Millennium Global Health Development Goals.”

The plan has been put together within the broader context of the MRC’s global health strategy. It recognises that research across the world is changing due to large investments in science and innovation in developing economies. New health research centres have emerged in West Africa along with new funding bodies such as the Global Health Fund and the Gates Foundation. The Gambia unit’s strategy and way of operating will ensure that it continues to play to its strengths and provide a unique contribution to medical research in the sub-region.

Implementation of the plan will change how and where the MRC spreads its investments and activities across the West African subregion in the coming years. It is expected that the same level of investment in global health research will be retained, but future organisation of MRC The Gambia will be along the lines of an MRC centre. It will have a research platform (a core set of well funded strategic resources, capabilities and infrastructure) and a set of independently-led science programmes which will largely be externally funded.

MRC (UK) The Gambia research themes 2010–2015

Child Survival: Deaths in the first six months of life remain a major problem throughout the developing world. Research into how these early deaths can be prevented is urgently needed. Working closely with the Gambian Ministry of Health, MRC The Gambia will work to improve the diagnosis of severe infections in early childhood. Community-based research will look at how to reduce risk factors and improve the health of mothers and their babies.

Disease Control and Elimination: Working with sub-regional partners, MRC The Gambia will conduct research into the feasibility of wiping out malaria, trachoma, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), tuberculosis and hepatitis B infections in The Gambia and West Africa.

Vaccination: MRC The Gambia will expand its successful studies in vaccine immunology and in the interaction between the infant immune system, vaccines and infections. Future work within this theme will include basic research on the interactions of vaccines with the innate and adaptive immune systems; and trials of new vaccines, vaccine schedules, and routes of immunisation.