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Joint Annual Meeting
The Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network (APMEN), hosted by the Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA), brought together its Vivax Working Group and Surveillance & Response Working Group for a joint annual meeting held from September 24 to 26 this year, in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. With the theme “Advancing Malaria Elimination Through Collaboration and Innovation”, the meeting was graced with opening addresses by Dr. Paul Cliff Simon Divis, Director of Malaria Research Centre at University Malaysia Sarawak, Dr. Neena Valecha, Former Regional Advisor, Malaria at WHO Regional Office of South-East Asia and Chair of Vivax Working Group, Prof. Xiao-Nong Zhou, Chief Scientist, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Chair of Surveillance& Response Working Group, and Dr Sarthak Das, CEO of APLMA.
The joint meeting gathered key stakeholders to update on APMEN’s progress, to deliberate on emerging challenges, and introduce new approaches to sustain the fight against malaria. The meeting was further designed to achieve three primary objectives, namely, i) enhancing surveillance and response strategies ii) improving diagnostic and treatment capabilities and iii) fostering partnerships for cross-border cooperation.
In her keynote address to the 110 participants from 19 APMEN country partners and experts from partner institutions, Deputy Director (Communicable Disease), Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health of Malaysia, Dr Husnina Ibrahim iterated the hope that regular activities and scientific sharing sessions conducted by APMEN will continue to support countries in improving surveillance systems and enhance capacity building for healthcare professionals. Dr Husnina also expressed the hope that these efforts would raise awareness among leaders on the importance of prevention and control measures tailored to local needs.
Technical Sessions
The two-day meeting featured seven comprehensive technical sessions designed in line with the primary objectives of the convening. These sessions facilitated collaborative discussions, interactive workshops, and insightful presentations, allowing participants to delve into innovative tools and methodologies aimed at bolstering malaria elimination efforts across the Asia Pacific.
Session Highlights
1. Innovative Tools for Diagnosis and Surveillance: This session highlighted important advancements in malaria diagnostics and surveillance. Discussions spanned across AI-enabled diagnostic tools, genomics-based malaria research, and G6PD testing. These innovations will be critical for implementing effective malaria control strategies in diverse endemic environments.
2. Updates on Malaria Control Innovations: Experts provided an overview of the latest drug and vaccine developments, including updates on the EFFORT1 and TADORE2 studies, dose optimization of tafenoquine, and tafenoquine development in India. Promising treatments, such as high-dose primaquine regimens, Triple ACT, and malaria vaccines underscored the potential for improved malaria prevention and treatment options in Asia Pacific.
3. Near-Elimination Strategy Panel Discussion: Representatives from Bhutan, Cambodia, Lao PDR, the Republic of Korea, Vanuatu, and Viet Nam discussed near-elimination settings, sharing insights on strategies to prevent malaria resurgence and maintain progress toward regional elimination goals.
4. Capacity Building and Health Systems Strengthening: Participants explored innovative methods to strengthen health systems and enhance local capacity for malaria elimination. The Civil Society Organization Platform led discussions on leveraging community-based surveillance data to address monitoring gaps and improve health service delivery at the community level.
5. Cross-Border Collaboration and Partnerships: Countries with shared borders, including Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, Timor-Leste and Thailand, presented successful cross-border malaria elimination strategies. These collaborations have proven essential in sustaining elimination efforts, particularly in regions where cross-border migration poses challenges.
6. Partnerships and Next Steps: Recommendations were collated from APMEN members and partner institutions on shaping future malaria elimination strategies. Presentations from the RBM Partnership to End Malaria and the Malaria Elimination Initiative reinforced the importance of coordinated efforts. Among the recommendations, border malaria, technical advocacy, networking & partnership, capacity building, and climate & environmental change emerged as the top five priorities.
7. Technical Advocacy and Policy Dialogues: Participants engaged in group discussions on climate data and early warning systems, access strategies, and economic evidence for malaria control, further emphasizing the role of technical advocacy in strengthening malaria programmes.
A Unified Vision for Malaria-Free Asia Pacific
The success of this year’s joint meeting reflects the steadfast commitment of country partners, partner institutions, APMEN working groups and interest groups to advance toward an Asia Pacific free of malaria. With the unwavering support from the Ministry of Health of Malaysia and APMEN’s global partners, this collaborative gathering underscored the power of shared knowledge, resources, and innovative approaches to fight against malaria. The dedication and contributions displayed by all participants continue to inspire and drive us toward our shared vision of achieving malaria elimination in the region by 2030.
[1] EFFORT clinical trial: Effectiveness of tafenoquine and primaquine - Menzies
[2] TADORE study: A revised tafenoquine dose to improve vivax malaria radical cure -Menzies
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