SMHF recognises parasite control as one of the important health issues in the developing countries. SMHF provides technical cooperation in the Philippines, China and the Central African Republic for field control of parasitic diseases, with a special emphasis on schistosomiasis control. In 1999 a joint project with the Government of Cambodia's National Malaria Centre, the WHO Western Pacific Region, UNICEF, and Medecins Sans Frontieres was begun in the endemic provinces of Cambodia. In 2000, the foundation started cooperation with the Philippine Department of Health to control schistosomiasis in the southern provinces of the Philippines.

　

Buruli Ulcer is the third common mycobacterial infection of immuno competent humans after tuberculosis and HD. It is caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. The disease often occurs in people who live or work close to rivers and stagnant bodies of water. Since 1998 TNF supports WHO's Global Buruli Ulcer Initiative (GBUI) which is addressing the issues such as drug treatment, infecting agents, epidemiology, community awareness, surgical treatment. In 2001, TNF and SMHF funded a project on surgical treatment of people with Buruli Ulcer in Ghana. The project was a success, but as chemotherapy or vaccine has yet to be developed, education remains the best form of prevention. To this end, TNF supported WHO in its production of a comic book geared toward children in French and English.

　

More than 200,000 children in Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia affected by the Chernobyl disaster were examined for the health effects of radiation during 1991 -2001. In early 1999, a satellite telemedicine system was set up, enabling exchanges of ultrasound thyroid images between Gomel Center in Belarus and the Nagasaki University School of Medicine in Japan. It has been helping to identify cases of thyroid cancer. Based on the success of this experience, SMHF launched a health telematics programme in cooperation with WHO in May 2000 in Belarus. SMHF has also teamed up with several international aid organisations and 3 NIS governments to create a post-Chernobyl NIS thyroid tissue and nucleic acid data bank. This will not only help the foundation to aid the current sufferers, but will also help us to know what to do if similar accidents should occur in the future.

　

　

With no decisive cure yet available, addressing HIV and AIDS demands a massive and persistent effort. SMHF has financially supported WHO and the Global Programme on AIDS' effort to disseminate information and promote public awareness of the issue. The foundation has funded the participation of community workers in International AIDS Conferences in Yokohama, Chiang Mai, Manila, and Kuala Lumpur. SMHF plans to assist the world community's efforts, with an emphasison Asia, Women and NGO related activities.