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History and perspectives of medical research at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Lambaréné, Gabon

Geschichte und Zukunft der Medizinischen Forschung am Albert Schweitzer Spital in Lambaréné, Gabun

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Zusammenfassung

Albert Schweitzer gründete 1913 in Lambaréné, Gabun, eines der ersten tropischen Spitäler, das vorrangig der Gesundheitsversorgung der einheimischen Bevölkerung gewidmet war. 1981 wurde am Albert Schweitzer Spital eine medizinische Forschungseinrichtung gegründet (www.lambarene.org). Diese Einrichtung entwickelte sich in den letzten 15 Jahren zu einer der weltweit führenden Forschungsstätten im Bereich der klinischen tropenmedizinischen Forschung, besonders im Bereich der Malaria. Durch den Bau eines eigens für molekularbiologische und immunologische Forschung bestimmten Gebäudes wird nun auch die Grundlagenforschung am Albert Schweitzer Spital möglich. Kürzlich wurde auch ein in Afrika einzigartiger postgradueller Lehrgang in Klinischer Forschung etabliert.

Summary

In 1913 Albert Schweitzer founded one of the first modern hospitals in Africa dedicated to the health of the local population. The Albert Schweitzer Hospital is located in Lambaréné, a small town in Gabon. In 1981 a research department – the Medical Research Unit – was established with the aim to perform research in the field of infectious diseases (www.lambarene.org). The main focus lies on clinical research on malaria and other parasitic diseases. Studies on the molecular biology and immunology of parasitic diseases are fostered since the inauguration of a novel building dedicated for basic science. A training program in clinical research in tropical diseases for African scientists has been set up recently.

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Correspondence to Peter G. Kremsner.

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Ramharter, M., Adegnika, A., Agnandji, S. et al. History and perspectives of medical research at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Lambaréné, Gabon. Wien Klin Wochenschr 119 (Suppl 3), 8–12 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-007-0857-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-007-0857-5

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