1 April 2021 – WHO is proud to announce the designation of the Immunology and Therapeutic Evaluation Division at the Theodor Bilharz Research Institute as a new WHO Collaborating Centre for Schistosomiasis Control until 2024.

Founded in 1964 based on an agreement between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Egyptian Government, the Institute was named after German physician and parasitologist Theodor M. Bilharz who first identified human schistosomiasis in 1853 among infected Egyptian patients. Currently, the Institute’s mission is to promote research and training concerning the control, diagnosis and treatment of parasitic, microbial, and viral diseases that affect gastrointestinal and urinary systems endemic to Egypt, countries in the Region and on the African continent.

As a WHO collaborating centre, the Immunology and Therapeutic Evaluation Division at Theodor Bilharz Research Institute will support WHO in schistosomiasis control activities by:

• developing cost-effective immuno-diagnostic tools for early detection and management, especially in low endemic areas;
• conducting capacity -building activities in schistosomiasis diagnosis and management;
• facilitating an exchange of experience towards eliminating schistosomiasis from the Region and globally through collaboration with the WHO collaborating centre network on schistosomiasis control.

These activities will be carried out under the coordination and leadership of the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. 

Contact details are as follows​​​:

1 Nile Corniche
Warrak Al Haddar
Embaba
12411 Giza, Egypt
Phone: +202-35407714/276/
Fax: +202-35408125
Website 

Professor Hanan El Baz
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Dr Sara Maher
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