Current Status of Research in Geomedicine in East and Southern Africa

Abstract

The extent to which factors of the geological environment influence the occurrence and distribution of human and animal diseases is increasingly becoming apparent. Unlike the case of the developed world where diets include food sources from geographically diverse regions, in African countries, most of the population live close to the land, relying on locally produced food and water; therefore, the probability of detecting relationships between the geological environment and disease is greatly increased. The ‘East and Southern Africa Regional Workshop on Geomedicine’ was organised by the School of Environmental Studies of Moi University under the auspices of UNESCO, UNEP and the Association of Geoscientists for International Development (AGID). The Workshop was held at the Silver Springs Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, from 23 to 27 June, 1999. The theme of the Workshop was ‘Current Status of Research in Geomedicine’, and this is the first time that a Workshop of this theme has been hosted by Africa. The purpose of the Workshop was to serve as a forum for the exchange of ideas in medical geology, for learning about recent advances and for mapping out strategies for further research into areas of the subject where there is still a dearth of knowledge. The Workshop attracted a group of over sixty interdisciplinary participants comprising geologists, geochemists, medical practitioners, biochemists, veterinarians, physicists, nutritionists, environmental lawyers, environmental economists and social scientists from Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom. The Workshop was officially opened by Professor K. Ole-Karei, deputising for Professor R.M. Munavu, Vice Chancellor, Moi University, whose speech was read on his behalf. In this inaugural address, it was noted that a serious danger is posed by the presence of toxic substances of geological origin in the African environment, since the population is in constant and close contact with soils and natural waters. Among the outcomes Professor Munavu expected from the Workshop were proposals for cleaner ways to manage our geological resources, while enhancing the health of our people, and the formulation of propositions on how to develop