INTRODUCTION

       This course is organized jointly by the Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand, the World Health Organization Regional Office for South-East Asia Region, New Delhi, India and Roll Back Malaria Mekong, Roll Back Malaria Mekong, WHO UN-ESCAP Building, Rachadamnernnok Road, Bangkok 10220, Thailand.

The objectives of the course are:

• To teach the participants in the management of severe and uncomplicated malaria both in well-equipped hospital and places with limited facilities
• To be updated with anti-malarial drugs in the treatment of severe malaria
• To review and train participants in the laboratory diagnosis of malaria
• To understand the recent pathogenesis of malaria

             Level of Responsibility:

             Educational Background:

             Language Proficiency:

             Computer Literacy:

             Health:

       The course will be held at the WHO Collaborating Centre for Clinical Management of Malaria, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Rajavithi Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand and the Rajanagarindra Tropical Disease International Centre (RTIC) Ban Huay Muang, Tambon Tanowsri,
Suan Phung District, Ratchaburi, Thailand.

       There will be a maximum of 25 participants. This two week long intensive and interactive course will have a minimum structured time of 60 tutor contact hours, consisting of lectures, discussion and bedside ward rounds. Daily sessions will be for 3 hours in the morning and 3 hrs in the afternoon each day. On selected days, there will be field exercises, laboratory practices and demonstrations.

The essential topics in the Management of Malaria course:

- Introduction to the course
- Pathophysiology of malaria and severe malaria
- Malaria epidemiology/ and current situation
- Malaria diagnosis and treatment at field level
- Malaria control programme
- Diagnosis and management severe and uncomplicated malaria
- Pathology : gross, light and electron microscopy of falciparum malaria
- Guideline for diagnosis and assessment of severe malaria
- Immunology of severe malaria
- Anti-malarial drug treatment
- Management of cerebral malaria
- Management of renal failure, metabolic and electrolyte disturbance
- Management of pulmonary edema
- Management of other malaria complications
- Laboratory malaria for diagnosis
- Management of severe malaria in children
- Malaria in endemic community
- Observation mosquito-breeding places
- Management of severe malaria in areas with limited facilities
- Ward round
- Case studies
- Discussion
- Field trips
- Evaluation

       The field programme forms an essential part of this course. Participants will be exposed to malaria in endemic area and have the chance to observe mosquito-breeding places as well as to learn the management of sever malaria in limited facilities. This area is also endemic for tropical diseases and the usual public health precautions will have to be taken including self protection measures against vector-borne diseases. Participants are advised to purchase an appropriate health and accident insurance to cover travel and the entire period of the course.

       Participants will be expected to attend all sessions and fieldwork throughout the course for which a separate record will be kept. They will be obligated to be present at the opening and closing sessions without exception. Travel arrangements should therefore be made accordingly in both directions. Throughout the course, participants will be examined to determine the acquisition of knowledge, skill and competence. A Certificate of achievement will be awarded to the successful participants, achieving the required standard and attendance.

       On completion of this course, the participants are expected to implement the knowledge, skills and expertise gained when they return to their place of work. At least 6 months following completion of the course, they will be required to report to the WHO, of their achievements since their training. In addition, it is expected that they will communicate freely with the WHO & other participants on technical matters in the spirit of networking. It is expected that governments will nominate participants for this course, who will be deeply involved in the national comprehensive malaria management and training activities.

       Eligible candidates are invited to apply using standard WHO fellowship forms available from the respective WHO country offices. Applications need to be endorsed by the national ministries of health and sent to the WHO regional office of South East Asia through the WHO country office. Selection of the candidates to fill the available places will be made by the committee. The candidates selected for the course will be communicated to by WHO and it will be the responsibility of the candidates to prepare themselves appropriately, and in time, including obtaining visas as necessary and vaccinations.
Fellowship from other funding agents should apply directly to the Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University and all management will be made between the faculty and the agents.

       Selected participants will be awarded a WHO Fellowship, which will provide them with air travel, by the most direct, and economic mode and route, from their place of work to Bangkok, Thailand and return. Course participants who have notified the Secretary of the organizing of the flight and time of arrival in Bangkok, well in advance of their arrival, will be met at the airport and taken to the Faculty of Tropical Medicine will take approximately 45 minutes.

       A daily stipend will be paid to those persons awarded a WHO fellowship in accordance with WHO Fellowship rules, which is adequate to meet the cost of boarding and lodging. At the time of preparing this announcement the official exchange rate was one US$ equals 40 baht.

       Any excess luggage will have to be paid for by the participants out of their stipend, as will travel insurance, which is highly recommended. The air ticket provided to the participants is the property of WHO and may not be changed. Participants must leave with a confirmed return air reservation on the first flight following the closing day. WHO will not pay extra stipend for unnecessary delays in returning home, including that caused by not having secured a confirmed return reservation before departing for the course. Participant from other funding agents will receive fund as per rules and regulation of that agents.

       Since this is a participatory, interactive education activity, participants are expected to work closely together during the day as well as in the evening, and hence all of them are expected to stay in the International Guest House, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University for which block bookings have already been secured. A single occupancy air-conditioned room costs, at present, 800 baht per day. Individual participants will be responsible for settling all accounts with the hotel before departure, and is to be paid out of their stipend. Accommodation charges do not include food. Restaurants usually provide varieties of food. Other restaurants are available, giving a wider choice of food. Every effort will be made to assist the participants to find the food of their preference.

       The course fee is US$ 800 per person. We expect to run the course with minimum participants of 15 and the maximum of 25 persons. Fund should be paid in advance directly to the Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Prof. Polrat Wilairatana,
Coordinator, WHO Collaborating Centre
for Clinical Management of Malaria
Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University
420/6 Rajavithi Road, Bangkok 10400, THAILAND
Tel: +66 (02) 354-9100 ext. 1318
Fax: +66 (02) 354-9141
E-mail: tmpwl@mahidol.ac.th

Ms. Keeratiya Nontabutra
Head, International Relations Unit
Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University
420/6 Rajavithi Road, Bangkok 10400, THAILAND
Tel: +66 (02) 354-9100-19 ext. 1327
Fax: +66 (02) 354-9141
E-mail: tmknt@mahidol.ac.th

International Relations Unit
Office of International Cooperation
Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University
5th Floor, Hospital for Tropical Disease Building
420/6 Rajavithi Road, Bangkok, 10400
THAILAND
Fax: +66 (02) 3549100-19
Fax: ++66 (02) 354-9141
E-mail: tmknt@mahidol.ac.th