Albert Schweitzer Hospital
Encyclopedia
The Medical Research Unit of the Albert Schweitzer Hospital was established in Lambaréné
, Gabon
, to study major causes of disease burden in the local population. Since its foundation years ago, it has become a leading African research center, specialising in pathophysiology
and treatment of highly prevalent infectious diseases found in sub-Saharan Africa.
The initial goals have been broadened and now include training in clinical and laboratory research for local and international investigators.
will be acting as competence centre of further education for doctors in the range of drug discovery in Africa. Along with the Vienna School
of Clinical Research (VSCR), a member of the European Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnerschip (EDCTP) and the research laboratory at the Albert Schweizer Hospital, Lambaréné wants to provide a further education program for African doctors. This program will be focusing on diseases like HIV/AIDS, Malaria
and Tuberculosis
. By combating these three major diseases, the centre simultaneously seeks to reduce poverty as a whole. From this location, Lambaréné
will also operate as a "flying school", which – if necessary – is capable of organizing further education courses concerning drug discovery in other African countries.
Shortly before his death, a US film production crew was granted permission to chronicle life at the hospital and spend time with Dr's. Schweitzer, Muntz and Friedman (Holocaust survivors). They produced the film: "The Legacy of Albert Schweitzer" narrated by Henry Fonds. Aired once, it now degrades at Warner Brother's Studio in Los Angeles. Attempts have been made to salvage and re-air the powerful film containing a "Philosopher/Peacemaker' sequence detailing the correspondence between Albert's Schweitzer and Einstein, but all such efforts have failed
The hospital in Lambaréné, as well as the life and philosophy of Albert Schweitzer
, also inspired in 1956 Larry Mellon
of the Mellon family
fortune, to found the Hospital Albert Schweitzer Haiti
in Deschapelles
.
Lambaréné
Lambaréné is the capital of the political district Moyen-Ogooué in Gabon. The city counts 24,000 inhabitants and is located 75 kilometres south of the equator....
, Gabon
Gabon
Gabon , officially the Gabonese Republic is a state in west central Africa sharing borders with Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the north, and with the Republic of the Congo curving around the east and south. The Gulf of Guinea, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean is to the west...
, to study major causes of disease burden in the local population. Since its foundation years ago, it has become a leading African research center, specialising in pathophysiology
Pathophysiology
Pathophysiology is the study of the changes of normal mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions, either caused by a disease, or resulting from an abnormal syndrome...
and treatment of highly prevalent infectious diseases found in sub-Saharan Africa.
The initial goals have been broadened and now include training in clinical and laboratory research for local and international investigators.
Vision and Goals
In future, LambarénéLambaréné
Lambaréné is the capital of the political district Moyen-Ogooué in Gabon. The city counts 24,000 inhabitants and is located 75 kilometres south of the equator....
will be acting as competence centre of further education for doctors in the range of drug discovery in Africa. Along with the Vienna School
Vienna School
Vienna School may refer to:* First Viennese School, 18th century classical music composers in Vienna* Second Viennese School, 20th century composers in Vienna* Vienna School of Art History...
of Clinical Research (VSCR), a member of the European Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnerschip (EDCTP) and the research laboratory at the Albert Schweizer Hospital, Lambaréné wants to provide a further education program for African doctors. This program will be focusing on diseases like HIV/AIDS, Malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
and Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
. By combating these three major diseases, the centre simultaneously seeks to reduce poverty as a whole. From this location, Lambaréné
Lambaréné
Lambaréné is the capital of the political district Moyen-Ogooué in Gabon. The city counts 24,000 inhabitants and is located 75 kilometres south of the equator....
will also operate as a "flying school", which – if necessary – is capable of organizing further education courses concerning drug discovery in other African countries.
Shortly before his death, a US film production crew was granted permission to chronicle life at the hospital and spend time with Dr's. Schweitzer, Muntz and Friedman (Holocaust survivors). They produced the film: "The Legacy of Albert Schweitzer" narrated by Henry Fonds. Aired once, it now degrades at Warner Brother's Studio in Los Angeles. Attempts have been made to salvage and re-air the powerful film containing a "Philosopher/Peacemaker' sequence detailing the correspondence between Albert's Schweitzer and Einstein, but all such efforts have failed
The hospital in Lambaréné, as well as the life and philosophy of Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer OM was a German theologian, organist, philosopher, physician, and medical missionary. He was born in Kaysersberg in the province of Alsace-Lorraine, at that time part of the German Empire...
, also inspired in 1956 Larry Mellon
Larry Mellon
William Larimer "Larry" Mellon was an American philanthropist and physician.He was born in Pittsburgh June 26, 1910, the son of financier William Larimer Mellon, Sr. and a grandnephew of U.S. Treasury Secretary Andrew W. Mellon...
of the Mellon family
Mellon family
The Mellon family is a wealthy and influential family originally of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, and its vicinity. In addition to Mellon Bank they were principally known for their control over Gulf Oil, Alcoa, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and Koppers, as well as their major influence on...
fortune, to found the Hospital Albert Schweitzer Haiti
Hospital Albert Schweitzer Haiti
Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti, founded by Larry Mellon and his wife Gwen Grant Mellon in 1956, is an integrated rural health system that provides medical care and community health and development programs for 300,000 impoverished people in the Artibonite Valley of central Haiti...
in Deschapelles
Deschapelles
This article refers to a town in Haiti. For the French chess master, see Alexandre Deschapelles.Deschapelles is a town in Haiti, in the Artibonite Valley. Deschapelles is where the Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti is located.-External links:*...
.
Activities
- Assistance in organizing (Preparation, realization and revision) courses of further education in drug discovery focusing on poverty related diseases like HIV/AIDS, MalariaMalariaMalaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
and TuberculosisTuberculosisTuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body... - Job training for native workers on further education courses
- Co-ordination of patients, who are taking part at clinical studies
- Administrative work at the research laboratory
- Participation in carrying out courses of further education concerning drug discovery in other countries