World Health Organization designates Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine a WHO Collaborating Centre

The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) has been designated as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Evidence Synthesis for Infectious and Tropical Diseases by the World Health Organization (WHO), in consultation with the UK Government. This is offi cial recognition of the extensive  collaboration that already exists between the LSTM and the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group,  whose editorial base is located at the LSTM, and the WHO.

"This designation fi rmly establishes LSTM as a reference centre for WHO in bringing together the best  available research evidence on infectious tropical diseases," said Dr Hans Hogerzeil, Director of  Essential Medicines and Pharmaceutical Policies at WHO. "LSTM has made valuable contributions to the WHO Model List of Essential medicines and the recently released malaria treatment guidelines. We look  forward to our continued collaboration as we work towards better quality, safety, and use of medicines."

The Infectious Diseases Group will support WHO in developing recommendations for health care policy,  developing guidelines  for the management of infectious diseases, organising training in  research methods and assisting in the communication of research results to policy makers, clinicians,  teachers and the public in developing countries.

Professor Paul Garner, Co-ordinating Editor of the Infectious Diseases Group and head of the new  Centre said, "We are really delighted to have been designated a WHO Collaborating Centre. This will  allow us to build further on our existing work with WHO – part of which is to provide top quality health evidence in the form of research synthesis to assist with work in developing countries and to contribute   towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals."

The LSTM joins 800 existing institutions in over 80 countries in forming collaborative networks that can  support the WHO at regional, national and global levels. WHO Collaborating Centres also provide information, services, research and training to strengthen country resources in national health  development.

• For more information on the Infectious Diseases Group: cidg.cochrane.org/welcome
• Further information about WHO Collaborating Centres: who.int/collaboratingcentres/en/
• WHO Malaria Guidelines (2nd Edition): research4development.info/news.asp?ArticleID=50604

Bridget Jones
Infectious Diseases Group
bridget.jones@liverpool.ac.uk