topnaman | Malaria blog

This is the second post (first one) of my attempt at profiling different malaria workers. Not many have heard of the epidemiologist Rickard Christophers (1873 – 1978). I came across his work accidentally, which was fortunate, because his lessons hold great promise for our efforts today. Having worked in the Duars area of India (where Sir Rickard led a landmark two year malaria survey), his legacy and writings speak closely to me.

Some reasons why Sir Rickard is an all-star:

• True malariologist – studied the host, vector, parasite, and social environment
• Coined the concept of the ‘tropical aggregation of labour’
• Fought for improved labor conditions of tea workers to reduce malaria
• Chronicled the infamous malaria epidemic cycle of the Punjab
• Founded the Malaria Reference Lab, later directed the Central Research Institute at Kausali (forerunner to the Malaria Institute of India, which became the National Institute for Communicable Diseases)
• Worked past the age of 100

Some editorials about him:

• 80th birthday
• 100th Birthday
• Obituaries: 1, 2, 3