INTER-ISLAMIC NETWORK ON TROPICAL MEDICINE
Background
Malaysia's desire to be involved in the Inter-Islamic Network regarding Tropical Medicine was voiced by The Honorable Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, through a letter dated April 1, 1985, to Dr. Ali Kettani, Director General of the Islamic Foundation for Science and Technology Development (IFSTAD).
The Third Meeting of the IFSTAD National Committee took place on September 5, 1988, and informed attendees that INTROM had been officially established on July 1, 1988, and that six countries consisting of Malaysia, Pakistan, Senegal, Niger, Turkiye, and Egypt had signed the charter establishing INTROM.
The entire Inter-Islamic Network is under the supervision of the Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technology Cooperation (COMSTECH) under the OIC in Pakistan. COMSTECH was established during the Third Islamic Summit of the OIC, held in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in January 1981. The President of Pakistan is the chairman of COMSTECH. COMSTECH's core mandate is to strengthen cooperation among OIC member states in the field of science and technology and enhance their capabilities through training in new areas, implementing follow-up actions and the implementation of OIC resolutions, and formulating programmes and submitting proposals designed to enhance the capabilities of Muslim countries in science and technology. The main goal is to build and nurture a scientific culture while using science and technology as major contributors to socioeconomic development and rapid industrialization. The science and technology action plan prepared by COMSTECH proposes the establishment of high-technology institutions in the OIC region in selected fields of science and technology.
Therefore, a collective approach that is seen as beneficial is through the concept of resource networks and the establishment of centers of excellence in the main disciplines to enable COMSTECH member countries to develop research levels. For that purpose, COMSTECH has at the initial stage, proposed the establishment of 13 networks of Islamic countries. However, only nine networks, including INTROM, are currently considered active.
Objectives
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To promote the exchange of information on tropical medicine among Muslim countries.
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To promote and undertake collaborative research projects in tropical medicine and its applications for the Muslim world.
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To organize, coordinate, and collaborate on training programmes in tropical medicine among member countries and the Muslim world.
Head Quarter
The Executive Director, who oversees the INTROM Secretariat, is in charge of the decisions made by the Governing Body and the Executive Council. The government of Malaysia provided the facility at the Institute of Medical Research (IMR) in Kuala Lumpur for INTROM's headquarters. IMR has been the focal point and secretariat to steer and conduct activities for the INTROM.
Affiliate Countries
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Malaysia
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Iraq
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Saudi Arabia
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Algeria
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Turkiye
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Pakistan
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Senegal
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Egypt
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Niger
INTROM Partners
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Committee on Scientific and Technology Cooperation (COMSTECH)
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National Institutes of Health (NIH)
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Tropical Medicine and Public Health Network (TROPMED - SEAMEO)
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Institute for Medical Research (IMR)
Address for Inquires
Head of Inter-Islamic Network on Tropical Medicine
Institute for Medical Research (IMR),
National Institutes of Health (NIH),
Ministry of Health Malaysia
Block C, No.1, Jalan Setia Murni U13/52,
Seksyen U13 Setia Alam,
40170 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
