Capacity strengthening and enhanced tools for evidence-based health research and control/ elimination strategies of parasitic diseases in

To strengthen the control and/or elimination strategies for parasitic diseases in Vietnam, which are a major contributor to mortality and morbidity, the research capacity in Vietnam will be strengthened and laboratory tools for detection and surveillance of parasitic diseases will be enhanced. The research capacity of the National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology (NIMPE) will be strengthened by improving the research infrastructure, in particular of quality assurance and library systems, as well as train Vietnamese scientist in multi-disciplinary approaches to support the malaria control and elimination program. An increase in health research capacity is required in order to expand the limited knowledge of the factors contributing to the epidemiology of these diseases in Vietnam. Diagnostic and surveillance tools will be developed and transferred to the laboratories of NIMPE for the detection of Food and Waterborne Parasitic Diseases (FWBPD) and malaria. In addition, a national program for control of cysticercosis, a disease caused by the cysts of the pork tapeworm, will be developed and validated within this program. The improved detection and surveillance of parasitic diseases will aid in the development of strategies leading to improved health of people in Vietnam, especially the most vulnerable groups.