The or Swiss TPH, is an international public health institute working in various disciplines with a particular focus on low- and middle-income countries. It was founded in 1943 through the initiative of Professor Rudolf Geigy. Swiss TPH endeavors to the improve the health of populations internationally and nationally through research, services, and education and training, with a focus on developing countries. In June 2009, the Institute for Social and Preventive Medicine of the University of Basel was integrated into the Swiss Tropical Institute, and in January 2010 the Swiss Tropical Institute changed its name to the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute. The Swiss TPH is an Associated Institute of the University of Basel, and as a public organization, is partially supported by the Swiss Federal Council and the Canton of Basel-Stadt. The greater part of its funding comes from competitively acquired project funds and the earnings of its service departments.
The service departments of the Swiss TPH address travel medicine and drug research, as well as health system development. The Medicine department provides clinical and diagnostic services for tropical medicine, travel advice, and vaccinations for travelers to tropical countries, as well as works to bridge the 'translational gaps' in the R&D-process for drugs, vaccines and public health interventions between promising research outcomes and their validation and implementation for impact in resource limited economies. The Swiss Centre for International Health provides services in the field of international health system development, both within Switzerland and globally.
Education and Training
As an associated institute of the University of Basel, numerous Swiss TPH staff have teaching obligations at the University. The Institute is involved in the BSc studies in biology and also responsible for the newly established PhD programmes. The Institute additionally offers an MSc in Infection Biology and Epidemiology. In postgraduate teaching and training, and continuous education the Swiss TPH offers several short courses for health system specialists from Europe and countries with resource constraints. These courses are accredited by the University of Basel. In cooperation with partner institutes in Europe and overseas. The institute offers a Master of Advanced Studies in International Health, accredited by the OAQ. The Swiss TPH also offers several tailored courses for participants with specific backgrounds, the “General Tropical Course“, as well as courses within the curriculum of the .
