Researchers from the Malaria Atlas Project travelled to Kigali, Rwanda to attend the 8th Pan-African Malaria Conference, MIM.
This years conference brought together researchers, key partners, global experts and national malaria program representatives to discuss the latest achievements, research and innovations in malaria prevention, treatment and control. The conference theme, ‘Grassroots Mobilisation to End Malaria: Invest, Innovate & Interest’, highlights the significance of grassroot efforts, innovation, and research in developing new tools and technologies for malaria control.

The Malaria Atlas Project’s co-lead, Professor Peter Gething gave an insightful plenary presentation with Head of the Applied Health Analytics group at Harvard University, Prof Abdisalan Noor, on Climate Change and its impact on Malaria Elimination. Prof Gething discussed the influence climate has on malaria risk and the need to predict direct impacts and the potential of socioeconomic factors to amplify effects.

Other MAP researchers also had the opportunity to present their current work. Dr Tasmin Symons delivered an exceptional oral presentation on; Tracking coverage of malaria control in Africa. Dr Symons provided a comprehensive situation report on coverage of malaria control, highlighting recent innovations in MAP’s data and modelling infrastructure and the insights they yield into trends in control. MAP PhD student and research assistant Samuel Oppong gave an excellent oral presentation on; Reduction in malaria incidence after deployment of IG2 nets in an area with known pyrethroid resistance and marked outdoor biting. Sammy Oppong’s talk explored the changes in malaria incidence in the Western North region of Ghana following the distribution of new generation nets (IG2) due to high levels of pyrethroid resistance. Dr Punam Amratia gave a compelling talk on data science’s role in malaria elimination.

The conference also provided an opportunity for MAP’s Advisory Board to meet and want to thank our Advisory Board for their invaluable contributions and insight. We look forward to attending other upcoming conferences in 2024 and next year, you can follow the Malaria Atlas Project on X (Twitter) @MalariaAtlas to keep up with our latest publications, updates and planned conferences.