Scope of the Human Health Cluster:

The Human Health Cluster aims to generate vital information to support the programme for the elimination of malaria, inform policy and guide the implementation of interventions. The cluster focuses on the human health aspects of malaria intervention strategies. Community participation is emphasised in the research projects in order to ensure that they are part of the decision making and sustainability of successful interventions. In collaboration with national and provincial malaria control programmes and other malaria control partners and funders, the UP ISMC participates in operational research activities to inform policies on malaria diagnostics and first line anti-malarial medicines in addition to decision making regarding malaria elimination strategies. Health promotion and education with the affected community members forms part of the cluster’s research objectives and methods. The cluster furthermore has a strong track record for its work on public health effects of compounds used for malaria vector control. Several published epidemiologic studies investigating the human health consequences of pesticide exposure have assisted in informing current policy. Projects examining the potential effects of exposure to DDT and pyrethroids on child neurodevelopment are ongoing and a number of projects soon to be initiated will focus on alternative malaria control methods and health.

Researchers mainly involved with research in the Human Health Cluster:

New Cluster Chairperson to be identified

Prof MS (Riana) Bornman      UP ISMC Management Committee member      Established Researcher (NRF B2)  Department: School of Health Systems and Public Health Expertise: Toxicology, andrology, public health Tel:  +27 (0)12 319 2206 Email: [email protected]

Prof AK (Andy) Beke      Researcher  Department: School of Health Systems and Public Health Expertise: Monitoring & Evaluation, health promotion, policy Tel:  +27 (0)12 356 3255 Email: [email protected]

Prof C (Tiaan) de Jager      Dean: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria; Director: UP ISMC      Established Researcher (NRF C1)      Department: School of Health Systems and Public Health Expertise: Toxicology, public health Tel:  +27 (0)12 319 2191 Email: [email protected]

Dr T (Taneshka) Kruger      Project Manager & Coordinator: UP ISMC      Researcher   Department: School of Health Systems and Public Health Expertise: Malaria education, awareness creation, health promotion Tel:  +27 (0)12 319 2381 Email: [email protected]

Dr IS (Sunday) Ukpe      Researcher  Department: Family Medicine Expertise: Malaria case management Tel:  +27 (0)13 741 6100 Email: [email protected]