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Suriname is a New World country that became independent of the Netherlands in 1975. It has a diverse population of around 600,000 people reflecting its migrant history particularly the slave trade that provided workers for the plantations. The main ethnic group are creoles (slaves brought from Africa), maroons (runaway slaves), Hindustani, Javanese (contract labourers), Chinese and Amerindians. Important differences have been demonstrated in epidemiology and pathology of health issues such as cardiovascular disease, infections and obstetrics. Research studies are needed in each ethnic group for a tailor-made approach as results cannot be extrapolated. Ethnic profiling is important to achieve equity in health.

Recent publications

Chatterjee M, Sengupta R, Cloots K, Zijlstra EE. Report of the Seventh Post-Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis Consortium meeting, Kolkata, India, 28-29 November 2024
Zijlstra EE. Risk factors for post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL): Challenges in understanding pathophysiology.
Zijlstra EE. Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis in East Africa, with focus on Sudan: Review of three decades of experience and research. Ann Med Sci Res 2025;4:S35-46.
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News

DTM&H Course, Bernard Nocht Institute, Hamburg, 16 April 2026

Presentations will be made on Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL, kala-azar) and Post-Kala-Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL): epidemiology, entomology, clinical features, pathophys

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