Indo-French workshop on "Geographical Information System for Health Surveys"

Persisting and spreading infections and the emergence of new diseases provoking increased mortality and morbidity are at the forefront of health issues in South and South-East Asia. These develop among dense populations that often have poor access to medical facilities, and are subject to profound environmental and social changes. It is therefore imperative that research efforts are focused on understanding the dynamics of these diseases, in order to attempt to curb their spread. Risk of infection is also continuously changing with Globalisation and its consequent change in the environment, such that risk assessment and reduction has become a necessity.

The prevention and control of these diseases require, on one hand, an in-depth knowledge of the mechanisms involved and their history, and on the other hand, the ability to foresee their development. Moreover, epidemiological studies need to be carried out both in space (spatialisation of risks) and time (history and evolution of the diseases : implementation of an Early Warning System).

Information and Communication Technologies, including Geographic Information Systems and Satellite Remote Sensing, now offer new perspectives in handling health-related risks with an integrated and dynamic approach.

A seminar co-organized by the French Institute of Pondicherry (IFP) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will be an opportunity for around twenty Indian and French scientists, specialised in infectious diseases on one hand, and in Geographical Information Systems and Satellite Remote Sensing, on the other hand, to share their views and experiences. The Bay of Bengal being at a pertinent scale for studying numerous infections, the discussions will be on the prospect of setting up a regional project addressing the propagation of emerging and vector-borne diseases (e.g. dengue, Japanese encephalitis, malaria) that would be based on a spatial approach.