Blogs

“Without good data, we’re flying blind. If you can’t see it, you can’t solve it.”

Kofi Annan, the former United Nations Secretary General, is as succinct as he is insightful. His commentary in 1 March edition of the scientific journal Nature underscores the value of data as a vital step toward addressing child malnutrition.

Thirty years, a record-breaking programme donating free medicine, 200 million people a year treated, and the number keeps growing. What started as a promise from MSD (known as Merck & Co Inc. in USA and Canada) to donate Mectizan® (ivermectin MSD) for river blindness to as many people who needed it for as long as was needed, has led to Mass Drug Administration (MDA) for diseases that affect over a billion of the world’s poorest population.

At the RSTMH, we want to reaffirm our commitment to early career researchers and offer more opportunities for them to find mentors and develop strong relationships with people in similar fields throughout their careers. As part of scoping what this programme of work might look like, we have organised speed mentoring sessions at our Research in Progress events. We’re also speaking to experienced mentors, like Diana, about the kind of mentoring programme RSTMH should offer.

Leprosy or Hansen’s Disease is still shrouded in myth. It’s an ancient disease that many believe to be extinct, but around 210,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Leprosy is described in the literature of ancient civilisations and, throughout history, people with the disease have often been ostracised by their communities and families. However, leprosy is easily curable, treatable and need not lead to any disabilities or deformities, if caught early.

Embarking on a study-visit to Timor-Leste using grant funding received from the Robert Cochrane Fund for Leprosy, awarded by the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.