MALARIA IN SOUTH-AFRICA - THE PAST, THE PRESENT AND SELECTED IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FUTURE

This paper outlines a brief historical perspective on malaria which is considered essential to an understanding of the gains made in the con trol of the disease, followed by an emphasis on the fact that control is a dynamic process requiring research back-up, private and public se ctor and national and international collaboration. Malaria control is based on scientific principles and ongoing success requires continual research input, government commitment to control of the disease and ap propriately skilled and trained personnel. This overview cannot do jus tice to malaria control and research in South Africa in its entirety, but looks at some of the major factors facing malaria control that hav e motivated the Medical Research Council's research initiative, which includes vector and parasite research, the use of geographical informa tion systems and the epidemiology of the disease, with a view to susta ining control into the future.