EAST AND SOUTHERN AFRICA ASSOCIATION
OF MEDICAL GEOLOGY (ESAAMEG)
Planning Meeting Held at the University of Edinburgh,
09 September, 2003
In Attendance:
Richard White University of Western Cape, SA. rwhite@uwc.ac.za
Max Mwase University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia. Mmwase@vet.unza.zm
Robert Finkelman U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA, USA, rbf@usgs.gov
Olle Selinus Geological Survey of Sweden. olle.selinus@sgu.se
Jose A. Centeno U.S.Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, D.C. 20306-6000,
centeno@afip.osd.mil, tonycent@comcast.net
Edward Derbyshire Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, UK. e.derbyshire@rhul.ac.uk
Beneah D.O.Odhiambo Dept of Geography, Moi University-Eldoret odhiambobdo@yahoo.com
Oke, Adekele Dept of Geology, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria
Okeadeleke@hotmail.com
Edda Vuhahula, (Taking Minutes), University College
of Health Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. evuhahula@muchs.ac.tz
Theo Davies, (Chair) Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya. tcdavies@africaonline.co.ke
1. PREPARATION FOR THE 3RD ESAAMEG WORKSHOP IN TANZANIA DURING SEPTEMBER
2004.
The Chairman gave a short history of the Association. The ESAAMEG came into existence as a result of the implementation of one of the resolutions passed at the first East and Southern Africa Workshop on Geomedicine in June 1999 in Nairobi, Kenya. Apart from ongoing research the activities of the Association have been limited over the past year. Among the resolutions passed at the first meeting was the need to continue the workshop series on a biennial basis, which it was thought will inspire intensification of the Associations’ activities in the region.
This resolution has been achieved, in that the 2nd Workshop was held in Lusaka in 2001. A comprehensive report was published in the Dec 2001 Edition of the IUGS Journal, EPISODES, Vol. 24, No. 4, p. 268 - 270.
The Third Workshop was originally scheduled for the Summer of 2003 in Tanzania, but was deferred to the Summer of 2004 to avoid coinciding with the 6th International Seminar on Environmental Geochemistry, which also involved most of the ESAAMEG members and patrons. Besides, the International Working Group on Medical Geology had already made commitments for similar activities in other countries around this time. Apart from inconvenient timing, the funding was not certain since financial situation will not be clarified until the end of the year 2003.
After a protracted discussion, it was again decided that the ESAAMEG workshop be pushed further to February 2005. Bob Finkelman who has been so instrumental in eliciting support for the Association, will be in South Africa during May/June 2004. He intends to conduct a one day short course on Medical Geology in Tanzania as a way of publicizing the forthcoming ESAAMEG Workshop and attracting young scientists from the region to attend. The Tanzania workshop should attract geoscientists, medics and public health professions.
2. AFRICAN GEOCHEMICAL DATABASE
Two meetings on the same issue were held on 9th September 2003. At these meetings Theo Davies referred to a proposal he had earlier submitted to the British Geological Survey. The proposal which addresses 3 countries, i.e. Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya was reviewed favourably by the British Geological Survey, University of Edinburgh and Technical University of Freiberg in Germany; but some minor modification of methods were recommended on account of the specialised tropical conditions in the East African countries.
Logistics for implementation are in place and Prof. Jane Plant indicated her willingness in soliciting funding for the project.
3. OTHER RESEARCH PROPOSALS
More research activities from the region were advocated, such as, conducting systemic sampling and analyses of soil, water, food crops and tissues to identify correlations between the distribution of geochemicals in the environment and human health.
African scientists are encouraged to write good proposals which will attract funding. It was also noted that small amount of funding by IUGS was available to geoscientists for starting projects.
4. ESAAMEG CONSTITUTION, LOGO AND WEBSITE DESIGN
Up to date ESAAMEG uses the website of the International Working Group on Medical Geology. Information on ESAAMEG activities should be sent to Drs Olle Selinus and Beneah Odhiambo so that they could link this with the international network.
Areas to be forwarded may include
- Goals for the next 4 years- this may include enlightening the medical scientists
on environmental issues
- Ideas for modification of the resolutions made in the 1st ESAAMEG meeting
- Adoption of the revised resolutions (referred to above) as mandate of the
Association
- Webmasters to work on the logo and distribute to members
5. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
From the report of Lusaka meeting EPISODES, Vol. 24, No. 4, p. 268 – 270), Dec., 2002, the temporary list of officers of the Executive Committee is as follows :
Kenya - Prof. T.C. Davies (Chair) (tcdavies@africaonline.co.ke)
Angola – Dr. Suzanet Nunes da Costa (jacuan@netangola.com)
Kenya – Ms. Monica Omulo (Monicaomulo@hotmail.com)
Tanzania – Dr. Edda Vuhahula (evuhahula@muchs.ac.tz)
South Africa – Ms. Portia Ceruti (poceruti@maties.sun.ac.za)
Zimbabwe – Dr. Noma Ndiweni (ndiweni@vet.uz.ac.zw)
6. ESSAMEG NEWSLETTER
Members agreed that, until the volume of regional activities increase, the Newsletter of the International Working Group on Medical Geology, edited by Dr Dave Elliott would be used.
Dr Olle Selinus reminded all about the need for contributions from all regions, and that the next newsletter will be published in October 2003.
In order to get more contribution, there is a need to contact all members who attended the 1st and 2nd workshops in Nairobi and Lusaka, respectively.
The Newsletter to be advertised in different institutions and call for membership application through a flier.
Application flier to South Africa can be distributed by Bob Finkelman by next year (2004).
7. FUTURE WORKSHOPS/MEETINGS
2004 May- Medical Geology short course in Tanzania by Bob Finkelman
2005 February- ESAAMEG Workshop in Tanzania
8. CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
In some East and Southern African universities, Medical Geology is taught as a subject. This can serve as pilot for other Universities.
Newsletter and Medical Geology books (such as those edited by Skinner and Berger) would help in publicizing Medical Geology.
Medical Geology can be taught in the Universities and allied institutions and can be part of Medical Geography curriculum in undergraduate and postgraduate geoscience programmes.
8. FUNDRAISING
Fundraising efforts can be strengthened through good proposal formulation, local workshops and grant drafting.
10. AOB
There was no other business.
Dr. Edda Vuhahula
(Ag. Secretary) 05 December, 2003