We are Stronger, Together
RBM Partnership to End Malaria
The RBM Partnership to End Malaria is the global partnership for a malaria-free world #EndMalaria
Egypt is certified malaria-free by WHO
Egypt has made history, earning WHO certification as malaria-free, after almost a century of dedicated efforts. This remarkable achievement highlights the country's success in overcoming a disease that once plagued pharaohs and modern Egyptians alike. Through rigorous surveillance, rapid response to outbreaks, and strong partnerships with neighbouring countries, Egypt ensured that malaria no longer poses a threat to its population of over 100 million. The journey doesn’t end here—maintaining this status requires ongoing vigilance and a robust health system.
“Receiving the malaria elimination certificate today is not the end of the journey but the beginning of a new phase. We must now work tirelessly and vigilantly to sustain our achievement through maintaining the highest standards for surveillance, diagnosis and treatment, integrated vector management and sustaining our effective and rapid response to imported cases. Our continued multisectoral efforts will be critical to preserving Egypt's malaria-free status,” said H.E. Dr Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister of Egypt.
Partner spotlight: Malaria and the Commonwealth – a moment of opportunity
Today as Commonwealth leaders gather in Apia, Samoa, for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to confront the pressing issues facing their nations, Malaria continues to devastate the lives of the citizens. In Commonwealth nations, malaria is more than a threat, it’s a reality. Despite constituting just a third of the world’s population, these countries account for over half of global malaria cases and deaths. For 90% of Commonwealth citizens, the risk of contracting this deadly disease looms close to home.
Malaria not only costs lives, particularly those of children under five, but also cripples economic productivity, education, and global trade in countries already grappling with climate change.
In an op-ed published in Foreign Policy, the Honourable Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, MP, Minister of Health for Malawi, and H.E. Dr. Armindo Daniel Tiago, MP, Minister of Health for Mozambique, share insights on how climate events like Cyclone Freddy create conditions that allow mosquitoes to thrive, complicating malaria control efforts. There is hope that new tools are emerging, such as the RTS,S and R21 vaccines. Malawi has already seen reduced severe malaria cases in regions where the RTS,S vaccine was piloted, and Mozambique aims to immunize one million children by year-end. Next-generation mosquito nets, designed to outsmart insecticide-resistant mosquitoes, are also rolling out and showing significant results in reducing cases.
CHOGM presents a critical moment for leaders to recommit to the goal of ending malaria by 2030. Increased funding for the Global Fund and Gavi is essential to bring these life-saving tools to those who need them most. By acting now, the Commonwealth can save millions of lives, boost economies, and strengthen health systems against future threats.
Partner spotlight: Target Malaria confronts malaria injustice in new show
Malaria is among key areas shaping the future in the new Netflix show ‘What's next? The future with Bill Gates ’ that came out on Sept 18. The show features leaders and innovators who are looking for solutions to the world's biggest problems. Episode 5 titled: ‘How can we outsmart disease?’ focuses on innovations to tackle malaria. The episode features leaders and innovators in malaria research and highlights the potential of new innovative solutions: malaria vaccines, monoclonal antibodies and gene drive mosquitoes.
领英推荐
RBM Partner, Target Malaria , is featured in the episode. , Professor of Parasitology and Medical Entomology at the Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé and Principal Investigator of Target Malaria Burkina Faso is interviewed by Bill Gates and they try to answer this question: how can we end malaria once and for all in our lifetime. The film crew followed the researchers in the IRSS lab manipulating genetically modified mosquitoes and a stakeholder returning to his community to comment on his visit of the insectary.
Prof Diabaté summarises the challenge succinctly: “If malaria was killing 600,000 people in the US or in Europe, the problem would have completely changed by now.”
RBM Partners Convene for 2025 Work Planning Meeting
To foster collaboration and create opportunities for learning and sharing, the RBM Secretariat brought together co-chairs from the various diverse Working Groups and Partner Committees to discuss and forge a 2025 plan to propel the partnership’s initiatives for 2025. Participants acknowledged the necessity for a strategic shift and a more audacious approach to navigate the complex challenges hindering progress toward malaria control and elimination objectives. They reflected on various components of the Big Push and outlined specific contributions each entity within the partnership can make in the upcoming year. Facilitated by Santos & Kaufman, a consulting firm, ?discussions ensured a comprehensive partnership perspective is integrated into the 2025 work plan, a crucial year in shaping malaria elimination efforts. The RBM work planning meeting took place from October 6 - 9 in Lausanne, Switzerland.
ARC Partner Committee Charting a New Path
Led by co-chairs from the soon-to-merge Strategic Communication Partner Committee (SCPC) and Advocacy and Resource Mobilization Partner Committee to form the Advocacy, Resource Mobilization and Communications Partner Committee (ARCPC),? participants discussed both opportunities and challenges in malaria advocacy efforts. The advocacy, communications and program teams collaborated to brainstorm ways to weave advocacy into malaria programs, ensuring it bolsters working groups and leverages their evidence-based insights. They established advocacy objectives, crafted key messages, and explored effective tactics for impactful advocacy. The merger of the partner committees was also welcomed, with an emphasis on increasing country involvement in malaria advocacy to achieve partnership goals. Partners committed to organizing another advocacy meeting that would involve more participants from Africa, Asia, and the Pacific to refine and finalize the communications and advocacy strategy. Participants included members from partner committees, key advocacy partners, and representatives from PMI and BMGF, who have been instrumental in supporting this collaborative advocacy strategy development process. This was also the first in-person meeting focused on advocacy and communication in over five years, enhancing collaboration and establishing a powerful merged committee with inclusive structures. The workshop was held from October 9 -11 in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Webinar: Addressing non-biological threats to the impact of ITNs; towards improved ITN quality
Register now for a webinar hosted by the RBM Vector Control Working Group (VCWG) in collaboration with the WHO Prequalification Unit (PQT) and the WHO Vector Control Products (VCP) team. Participants will learn about the procedures, requirements and assessments implemented by WHO/PQ to ensure quality standards for Insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) ?and consistency of production.
Date: Tuesday, 29 October 2024
Time: 2 pm - ?4 pm CET (Geneva time)
Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding of ITN quality standards and their impact on vector control.
Register Now: Meeting Registration - Zoom