Inter-Islamic Network In Tropical Medicine (INTROM)

Introduction

Inter-Islamic Network in Tropical Medicine  (INTROM) is one of the eight Inter Islamic Network of COMSTECH (COMSTECH  is a Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation Programme established under OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation)). The mission of COMSTECH is to strengthen the individual and collective capacity  of OIC member states in Science and Technology through mutual cooperation, collaboration and networking resources. COMSTECH enables the OIC member states to use science and technology as a major contributor towards socio-economic development and rapid industrialization in the OIC region (http://comstech.org)

In line with the mission of COMSTECH;

The objectives of INTROM are:

1.      To promote the exchange of information on tropical medicine among Muslim countries,
2.      To promote and undertake collaborative research projects in tropical medicine and its application for the Muslim world and
3.      To organize, coordinate and collaborate training programs in tropical medicine among member countries and Muslim world.

The beginning of INTROM started  in 1985, when the then H.E Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr. Mahathir  Mohamad informed Dr. Ali Kettani, Director General, Islamic Foundation for Science Technology and Development (IFSTAD), that Malaysia, agreed to take part in OIC’s Standing Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation Programme and named IMR  as part of the Networking for Tropical Medicine.

In January 1987 during the OIC meeting held in Kuwait, Tropical Medicine was identified as one of 6 areas justifying the establishment of “INTER-ISLAMIC NETWORKS” and the meeting agreed with the establishment of a network on Tropical Medicine and its secretariat in Malaysia represented by Institute for Medical Research (IMR).

In October 1987, Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation, Malaysia, organized   a follow up meeting, with IMR, IFSTAD secretariat,  and representatives from Pakistan, Iraq and Senegal, this meeting led the formation of  INTER-ISLAMIC NETWORK ON TROPICAL MEDICINE (INTROM). INTROM was officially established on July 1^st 1988 with IMR as focal point (secretariat) for INTROM activities. Member countries of INTROM, apart from Malaysia,  are Pakistan, Senegal, Niger, Turkey, Mesir and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

INTROM IMR

The organization of INTROM IMR  are as follows.

The activities of INTROM IMR for 2014 :

MTCP INTROM IMR WORKSHOP ON TROPICAL MEDICINE : EPIDEMIOLOGY  AND IDENTIFICATION OF  DENGUE VECTORS AND DETECTION OF THE VIRUS IN THE VECTORS AND IN HUMAN, 16 June -  24 June  2014 at Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The Aim of the Workshop is to assist participants, the  techniques / methodologies of identification of  dengue vectors and detection of the virus in the   vectors and in human. The epidemiology of the vectors will be elaborated by participants in relation to their respective countries. In this way the participants will be able to understand  the epidemiology of vectors in different countries.   This will develop capacity building in this area and address the learning need and the requirements of managing control program or setting up laboratory capacity to support this needs

Objectives of Workshop:

• • To disseminate knowledge and create awareness on the different epidemiology of dengue vectors from all over the world (which will be contributed / shared by the participating countries),
  • To disseminate knowledge and capacity building on the different approaches on the identification of dengue vectors, specimen preservation, processing  and shipment from dengue endemic areas to the laboratory for virus isolation and confirmation. 
  • To disseminate knowledge and capacity building on the different approaches / technologies on the detection of dengue virus in the vectors and in human,
  • To provide forum for participants to  exchange knowledge and experiences in the subject. This will be achieved by presentation from each participants on the approached carried out in their respective countries.
  • To promote collaboration among OIC member countries on identification of  dengue vectors and detection of the virus in the   vectors and in human.

Dateline for application is 7 March 2014