Land Rover is gearing up for an eight-week
humanitarian expedition to sub-Saharan Africa as part of the Mobile Malaria
Project. The modded Discovery will travel more than 6,300 km across Namibia, Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya, with three Oxford University
researchers onboard. Once there, they will investigate the challenges facing
those who are trying to keep malaria in check, as 90% of the world’s cases
occur in Africa.
Developed by Land Rover’s SVO division, this SUV
comes equipped with a mobile genetic sequencing laboratory that makes full use
of the Discovery’s 1,137 liter load space. It also features a
freezer unit to store supplies, a bespoke load space configuration frame system,
specially-designed storage equipment cases, an on-board expedition battery,
satellite phone, custom mapping, iPads, a fire suppression system and more.
As for the exterior, there’s a dual sun awning,
rescue equipment, a winch, sand/mud tracks, recovery tethers, 4×4 tires, a coil
suspension jacking kit and towing eye, expedition roof rack and LED night
driving lamps.
“We are humbled that Land Rover and the Royal
Geographical Society (with IBG) have chosen our project as the 2018 bursary
winner. Although global malaria rates have halved over the past 20 years,
progress more recently has stalled. By working with colleagues in Namibia,
Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya, our journey will help us to understand the
challenges facing malaria researchers in Africa in 2019,” stated project leader
Dr George Busby.
“The loan of the Discovery not only gives us the
capability we need to visit locations we might not have been able to reach
otherwise, it gives us the space and versatility to transport the equipment we
need. This will allow us to gain a better understanding of how this technology
could be used to answer locally relevant questions about malaria parasites and
the mosquitoes that transmit them.”
The Mobile Malaria Project will set off from the UK
on March 22nd.
