How does our research benefit The Gambia and West Africa?

Our research generates new knowledge to improve the control of diseases and the health of the Gambian and West African populations. Such new knowledge is used for the formulation of health policies, e.g. management of patients suffering of a specific disease, or introducing a new vaccine or a new intervention to prevent disease.

What are our scientific priorities?

Our scientific priorities are the health priorities of The Gambia and neighbouring countries in the West African sub-region. The ultimate result should be reducing morbidity and mortality in The Gambia and sub-Saharan Africa and beyond. We have also demonstrated a consistent commitment to supporting and developing both research capacity, through training and career development, and health service delivery in The Gambia and across the West African sub-region.

What is our relationship with the government?

There is a strong cooperation between the Gambian Government and the MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM. Research in The Gambia requires the support and partnership of three elements, the community, the Gambian Government and MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM, as most projects implemented are done in collaboration with Government partners. This has generated mutual partnerships in implementation, capacity building and resource sharing and optimisation. These strong partnerships are evident in the several health facilities where we operate.

What do we do with samples we collect?

We collect biological samples in the form of blood, urine or stool from research participants recruited into clinical trials for use in research experiments aimed at better understanding the clinical features of certain diseases. The specimens may be used to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment approaches, identify potential new therapies and explore opportunities for disease prevention.