MARC SE-Africa’s Brainstorming and ETAC Meeting Ushers in Strategic Innovations and Collaborations

On 21 April 2024, the MARC SE-Africa convened for a Brainstorming and External Technical Advisory Committee (ETAC) Meeting at the Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (MIM) Conference held in Kigali, Rwanda. Chaired by Prof Karen Barnes, this

The meeting commenced with a welcome lunch, fostering an environment conducive to collaboration and exchange. Opening the meeting, Dr Aline Uwimana presented Rwanda’s proactive approach to developing a detailed action plan to combat antimalarial resistance in their country. Her insights set a compelling tone for the meeting, emphasising the need for timely data sharing, cross-border intervention points, and regional action.

The session then delved into the MARC SE-Africa Social Network Analysis, presented by Dr Ismael Kawooya. This segment addressed current insights and progress in engaging stakeholders and establishing known networks. It highlighted success stories for more effective stakeholder engagement.

Building regional trust and leveraging technology to enhance data-sharing were central themes during Dr Stephanie van Wyk's presentation on the ongoing development of the MARC SE-Africa Dashboard. This cutting-edge dashboard supports real-time, collated, and curated data sharing, offering a robust platform for pre-emptive action and strategic decision-making across 18 malaria-endemic countries. This tool aligns with the consortium's dedication to data-driven public health responses, designed to bridge critical knowledge gaps and boost the efficiency of antimalarial strategies.

The meeting culminated in a comprehensive ETAC feedback session led by Prof Djimde and Dr Mateusz Plucinski. They provided valuable insights into improving survey responses, policy development, and data dissemination strategies. The feedback focused on practical steps to overcome data-sharing barriers, enhance stakeholder trust, and streamline data validation processes.

This meeting highlighted MARC SE-Africa’s ongoing initiatives and reinforced the importance of collaborative efforts in tackling malaria. The outcomes are expected to significantly influence future strategies, with Rwanda’s detailed action plans serving as a model for other countries. As the MIM Conference continued, the MARC SE-Africa’s impacts remained a beacon of innovative solutions and strategic partnerships in the fight against malaria.