Help to end the devastation caused by neglected tropical diseases in Africa: Philanthropy to expand the Tiba programme

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) directly affect the health of over 1.5 billion people worldwide, including over 800 million children.

These diseases cause severe sickness, disfigurement and death; affect mental and physical development; and can lead to discrimination, stigmatisation, and loss of economic productivity.

Because of this, tackling these diseases is essential to improving global health.

Tiba is not a one-off initiative

Tiba will benefit 50 million people by 2022 through the local control or elimination of diseases such as lymphatic filariasis, sleeping sickness, schistosomiasis and malaria, and by improving preparedness for epidemics.

	Through Tiba, Professor Faith Osier and her team are looking to find new ways to tackle malaria that can be taken into the design of new, more effective vaccines – and are training local scientists to take their findings through the research pipeline and into clinical trials.
	And in South Africa, Tiba Deputy Director Professor Moses Chimbari is leading work to roll out a mass treatment programme for schistosomiasis in one of the most vulnerable population groups, children under five.

Examples like these are just the start.

The University of Edinburgh and our African partners are ready to involve more research institutions, in more countries across the continent, tackling more neglected tropical diseases.

A long-term, self-sustaining programme in Africa, for Africa

Expanding and extending the Tiba programme in the long-term will trigger even wider improvements in healthcare systems across Africa.

Philanthropic investment will:

• improve the ability of national health systems to diagnose and treat endemic NTDs;
• help to find new next generation treatments and interventions for more NTDs;
• continue to shift the research hub on these diseases to African institutions, including training the next generation of talented scientists; and
• take the next step to giving Tiba a permanence that is continent-wide.

“By working closely with governments and health policy makers, we will ensure that recommendations from the Tiba programme are taken up and benefit 50 million people across the African continent. Philanthropic support will enable us to go even further, and take another step towards tackling these diseases and improving the lives of millions more.”

Professor Francisca Mutapi, Tiba Deputy Director at the University of Edinburgh

Work with us to extend impact across the continent

The University of Edinburgh and our African partners welcome support and collaboration from local and international partners.

There are opportunities to support a number of projects and people in the Tiba programme:

• Rapid Impact Projects, carried out over one year, targeting a specific health care system issue, such as:
  • Developing a synthetic vaccine for rabies
  • Identifying new treatment strategies for schistosomiasis in school-aged children in hotspot areas
  • Improving access to water, sanitation and hygiene
  • Increasing our knowledge of viruses transmitted by insects to people
  • Establishing the first Centre for Synthetic Biology in sub-Saharan Africa
• Master’s and PhD studentships at both the University of Edinburgh and our African partner institutions
• Post-doctoral fellowships for some of Africa’s most talented, future scientific leaders
• Training workshops
• Engagement with national governments and international agencies

Next steps

Contact us if you want to make a significant impact on health in Africa.

Annie Lovett, Senior Philanthropy Officer, University of Edinburgh Development and Alumni

Tel: +44 (0) 131 650 9639

Email: Annie.Lovett@ed.ac.uk