Mauritius moves to become Africa's science center

A groundbreaking medical study center is being planned for Mauritius to encourage health care companies to focus their attention on the plight  of Africa. The island - best known for its holiday beaches in the Indian  Ocean and the last home of the dodo - has been chosen by an Oxford,  UK-based charity as the ideal location.

Mauritius has been selected because of its political and economic  stability and the need for a research center of global standing in the  African continent, the charity said. The commercial arm of the Oxford  International Biomedical Center wants to bring together international  organizations to help address the "appalling" medical problems facing  Africa. "The tired approach of tirade, aid and trade is not working,"  says Charles Pasternak, director of the OIBC.

The new center will provide research facilities into diseases such as  tuberculosis, AIDS and malaria and aims to attract smaller businesses,  as well as the giants of the scientific world. It will also work closely  with the University of Mauritius and the island's Ministry of Health to  train scientists and investigate health disasters prevalent throughout  the region, says the OIBC.