Schistosomiasis Control Initiative (SCI)

We work to improve the health and development of the world’s poorest populations by eliminating the poverty sustaining and life-threatening effects of schistosomiasis (bilharzia) and intestinal worms (hookworm, whipworm and roundworm).

We treat children and at risk adults for schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminths (STH - whipworm, hookworm, roundworm), preventing anaemia, impaired growth and development in children and the development of life-threatening conditions of bladder cancer, kidney malfunction or liver and spleen damage.

SCI assists Ministries of Health across sub-Saharan Africa to control and then eliminate schistosomiasis and STH from their population utilising the World Health Organization’s Drug Donation Programme for praziquantel and albendazole.

SCI is part of the Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and is based in the Faculty of Medicine Building on the St Mary's Campus of Imperial College London, combining implementation and world-class research to ensure our treatment programmes achieve maximum effectiveness.