Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (MIM) Pan-African Malaria Conference – 2024: Opening Day

MESA Correspondents bring you cutting-edge coverage from the MIM 2024 Conference “Grassroots Mobilization to End Malaria: Invest, Innovate & Integrate”.

The Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (MIM) Conference is being held at the Kigali Convention Centre, Rwanda, from 21st to 27th April 2024. This year’s event marks the 8th Pan-African Malaria edition. It started in the morning with the “Africa Walks Against Malaria” initiative, promoting fitness and malaria awareness, uniting communities for public health. 

Opening Ceremony (Plenary Session 1)

The Multilateral Initiative of Malaria Conference convened 1500+ attendees, including researchers, policymakers, and innovators, with 70+ speakers discussing advancements and challenges in malaria. The theme of the conference “Grassroots Mobilization to End Malaria: Invest, Innovate & Integrate”, aims to emphasize the essential role of research and network collaboration but also the community-driven efforts in the prevention and control of malaria. The opening remarks were delivered by Emeritus Rose GF Leke (Chair of the MIM Secretariat), Claude Mambo Muvunyi (Chair, 8th Pan-African Malaria Conference) and Charles Adekunle (CEO RBM Partnership to End Malaria). They all acknowledge the theme, highlighting the evolution of the MIM society from 1997 till date and its role in raising malaria awareness globally; but also the need to promote high-quality research, to encourage development, and the crucial role of African leadership in the fight against malaria. The official conference ceremony was inaugurated by Sabin Nsanzimana, Rwanda’s Minister of Health, followed  by his speech on the significant role of community health workers in reducing malaria in Rwanda. He also appointed the strong commitment from his government to keep on working in reducing morbidity and mortality related to malaria. 

Keynote Speech

The keynote address was delivered by Marcel Tanner (Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Switzerland). Tanner’s keynote speech focused on decolonizing global health, aligning well with the theme of the conference. His message drew attention to the importance of empowering local communities and institutions in the fight against malaria, advocating for a shift away from traditional top-down approaches. By acknowledging and addressing historical power imbalances, his speech stressed on the need for inclusive and equitable strategies to combat malaria effectively with communities being real partners. He also aimed to highlight that, in spite of certain challenges for the future, a long path has already been walked to decolonize global health. 

Philip Welkhoff (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, United States) shed the spotlight on the innovation aspect of the theme highlighting novel strategies such as use of geospatial data, parasite genetics and the use of dashboards to reduce the malaria burden in Africa.