The MARC SE-Africa Symposium Proved a Keystone Event at the 8th Pan-African Malaria Conference, Kigali, Rwanda, April 2024

The Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (MIM) Society convened from April 21-27, 2024, in collaboration with Rwanda's Ministry of Health, recently hosted the 8th Pan-African Malaria Conference in Kigali, Rwanda. This seminal event, titled “Grassroots Mobilization to End Malaria: Invest, Innovate & Integrate,” took place against the backdrop of Rwanda's proactive stance in pioneering advanced responses to malaria, positioning the nation as a leader in malaria innovation not only in East Africa but across the continent. A highlight of this prestigious week-long event was the MARC SE-Africa Symposium held on April 22. This symposium spotlighted the critical role and growing impact of the MARC SE-Africa consortium in regional strategies to combat antimalarial resistance in southern and eastern Africa.

Chaired by Dr Aline Uwimana of the Rwanda Biomedical Centre and with Dr Charlotte Rasmussen of the WHO Global Malaria Programme as co-chair, the symposium titled "Facilitating an Integrated Regional Response to Antimalarial Drug Resistance in South-East Africa" drew record attendance. Over 100 stakeholders filled the venue to capacity, demonstrating the significant interest and endorsement of the consortium's initiatives.

The session's popularity underscored the urgent community interest in innovative strategies for combating malaria, which is reflective of the high stakes in the region. Dr Karen Barnes set the stage with an insightful introduction to the consortium’s contributions and goals. Subsequent talks by regional experts, including Dr Eulambius Mlugu, discussed the momentum built with MARC SE Africa's partnership with the East African Community Great Lakes Malaria Initiative, and the Ugandan representative Dr Joaniter Nankabirwa, detailed proactive measures and collaborative efforts underway in their country.

Technological innovations were also prominently featured, with Dr Stephanie van Wyk introducing the MOXIE-Bot, a pivotal tool in streamlining the fight against malaria, which features over 220 curated resources and tools vital for healthcare workers, laboratory technicians, malaria program managers, and researchers to combat antimalarial resistance. Prof Prashanti Eachempati's presentation on the Magic App, an app-based dissemination tool for data-driven treatment guidelines, highlighted cutting-edge approaches to be adopted by healthcare providers effectively.

The symposium peaked with a dynamic Q&A session, fostering a robust dialogue among regional experts and attendees. This session not only reinforced the central role of the MARC SE-Africa consortium in driving forward the malaria elimination agenda in East Africa but also highlighted the power of effective collaboration and shared commitment. The event was a testament to the collective efforts needed to tackle one of the region’s most pressing public health challenges through curated response plans, developing and implementing digital health tools and platforms, and regional collaborative efforts.