From concept to scale Celebrating 10 years of seasonal malaria chemoprevention

From concept to scale Celebrating 10 years of seasonal malaria chemoprevention

The success of seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is testimony to a decade of singleminded perseverance of all the SMC stakeholders. It is also testimony to the commitment of countries, regulators, donors and health workers in their pursuit of ways to reduce the impact of malaria on the young. This report charts its evolution.

Over the past 10 years stakeholders across sectors have worked at the SMC coalface generating data to support a change of malaria policies aimed at reducing the burden of disease, especially among the under-served. Eager to replicate its early success in places like Nigeria and Senegal, 13 countries in west Africa have now adopted SMC and are helping it reach new geographies and age groups, to protect even more lives. Although SMC has proved its mettle as a prevention measure, the SMC Alliance is seeking to further strengthen and boost its impact, e.g., studies have shown that its efficacy rises significantly when used in combination with the RTS,S malaria vaccine. The numbers say it all. Millions of precious lives have been protected. We must not lose this hard-won momentum.

The SMC Alliance is preparing for new malaria challenges that the next 10 years will undoubtedly bring. If we can prevent its occurrence and reduce transmission, the battle is already half won. SMC is showing us the way.