On 17 October, the NIPD was renamed as the WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases which means its research activities will encompass other tropical diseases.
“Today, NIPD takes on new challenges” said Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General who attended the inauguration in Shanghai, China earlier this month. “The new name WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases reflects the much more prominent role that the institute can play in China and in the world.”
In 1980, the NIPD was designated as a WHO collaborating centre for malaria, schistosomiasis, and filariasis. It has been instrumental in the country’s fight against lymphatic filariasis, which was eliminated as a public health problem in China in 2007.
“As China refines and strengthens its contribution to global health, NIPD can be at the leading edge. Your experience and record of success position China to provide critical world-class technical and practical support, especially for countries in Africa and South-East Asia with endemic tropical diseases."said Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General.
Dr Chan was in Shanghai to attend the inauguration of the centre, along with many personalities including Dr. Ma Xiaowei, Deputy Director of National Health and Family Planning Commission and Ms. WengTiehui, Vice Mayor of Shanghai.
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