Applying what we learn / Hiroshi Nakajima

TROPICAL DISEASES RESEARCH Applying what we learn by Dr Hiroshi Nakajima Director-Genera/ of the World Health Organization ]Research is one of the corner-stones for the development o f effective health care policy. Equally impor- tant is the training and manpower development needed to carry out that research. WHO has always emphasised research and training, and these prin- ciples are clearly developed in the two interdependent objectives of the UN DP/ World Bank/ WHO Special Pro- gramme fo r Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TOR): achievements. In this last decade of the century, we see ever more clearly that the development of technology is, by itself, rarely sufficient. What we learn in the shape of new technology has to be applied in the field to control difficult and dangerous diseases that strike in an almost infinitely varying environment of eco- logical cond itions , economic potentials and political realities. It is - research and develop- o ment to obtain ~ new and im- proved tools for the control of major tropi- cal diseases; Collecting larvae of the malaria-carrying anopheles mosquito for subsequent laboratory examination. for this reason that WHO is intensifying its efforts to con- trol these tro- pical diseases, by strengthen- ing countries' capability to apply the ef- fective tools which have re- sulte d from the research carried out under the auspices of the - strengthening of the research capabilities of endemic countries. Through a global network of partici- pating institutions and scientists, TOR is promoting the development of an impressive catalogue of new and improved tools for diagnosis, preven- tion, patient care, treatment and con- trol in relation to its target diseases - malaria, schistosomiasis, filariasis , trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis and leprosy. The Programme's globally coordinated research and research training activities - and their positive results - make us confident that we can improve our capability for con- trolling these diseases and provide real relief from suffering to those afflicted. It is heartening, too, to record that these are achievements of a "special programme" that does not operate independently of the rest of WHO but is thoroughly integrated with its other relevant programmes. However, the TOR Programme cannot rest on the laurels of its past WOR LD HEALTH . June-July-August 1990 Special Programme. To have realistic hopes of achieving sustainable results, we must realis- tically assess the total environment of the communities we seek to protect. This implies new challenges in terms of diagnosis, epidemiology, planning and evaluation. And, of course, nothing can be achieved without the full and active cooperation of our international partners and the com- munity we serve. All this gives added importance to technical develop- ments, to social and economic research, to field support and coop- eration with national governments, and to communications. TOR has an important place in WHO's work. It provides a mature example of international cooperation from which much can be learnt. This issue of World Health describes some aspects of its activities, and explains why we can have every confidence in its continued success in the future. • Hiroshi Nakajima, M.D., Ph.D. Cover: Taking a skin snip for research in leprosy control in Eth iopia. WORLD I-£AUH WHO/J . Maurice IX ISSN 0043-8502 World Health is the official illustrated magazine oft he World Hea lth Organ ization. Editor: John Bland Deputy Editor: Christ iane Viedma Art Editor: Peter Davies News Page Editor: Philippe Stroot World Health appears six times a year in English .• French. Portuguese. Russian and Spanish. and four times a year in Arabic and Farsi . The German edition is obtainable from: German Green Cross. Schuhmarkt 4. 3550 Marburg, FRG . Art icles and photographs not copyrighted may be reproduced provided credit is given to the World Health Organization. Signed articles do not necessarily reflect WHO's views. The designations employed and the presentation of material published in World Health do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Organizati on concerning the legal status of any country. territory or other area or of its authorit ies. or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Contents Tropical Diseases Research: Applying what we learn by Hiroshi Nakaj ima . . .... . . .. ...... 3 Getting wet by Tore Godal . .. ........ .•. . . . . .... 4 UNDP: improving the human condition by Timothy Rothermel .. . . ........ . .. 6 World Bank: a powerful partnership by Bernhard Liese . . . .... .. . . . .. .. .. 7 An aim and a hope Interview with Ralph H. Henderson .. . 8 Where the action is by John Maurice .. .. ..... . . . ...... 10 Vaccines for the Third World by Barry R. Bloom . .. . . . . ... . ... . .. 13 TOR: Training Grants . .. . ....... 16 A good mix Interview with Sune Bergstrom ..... . 18 Breaking new ground by Carol Vlassoff .... . . ....... . .... 20 A global response to climate change by Enrique H. Bucher . . . .. . . .... .. . 23 Planetary responsibility Interview w ith Pierre Joly ... . ....... 25 Developing new drugs by David E. Davidson J r. ..... . . ... . 28 News Page .... .... . .. . . . .. . . . 30-31 3