Introducing MOXIE-BOT: chatbot aiding malaria control debuted at MIM.

MARC-SE Africa launched the highly anticipated MOXIE-BOT in Rwanda, the heart of Africa. The chatbot’s debut was part of the Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (MIM Society)’s 8th Pan-African Malaria Conference, hosted in Kigali from 21 to 27 April 2024. Dr Stephanie van Wyk presented this innovative chatbot, designed to aid the combat of antimalarial drug resistance, a growing risk in Sub-Saharan Africa.

MOXIE-Bot stands at the forefront of integrating technology with African public health strategies, specifically designed to combat malaria challenges in Eastern and Southern Africa. The region faces significant barriers, including limited access to effective malaria control tools and a lack of resources that accommodate linguistic diversity. Africa is the most linguistically diverse continent, yet 63% of its population receives education primarily in French, Portuguese, or English. To bridge these gaps, MOXIE-Bot is accessible online and offers downloadable, printable resources in multiple languages to ensure it is broadly accessible and culturally relevant across various African communities. Its design includes a comprehensive toolbox and a decision tree that guides users to vetted web-based tools, protocols, and resources, enhancing its reach and impact. This strategic approach enables seamless communication and resource sharing among healthcare workers, laboratory technicians, malaria program managers, and researchers across the continent.

During the unveiling, MARC-SE Africa underscored the extensive capabilities of MOXIE-BOT. It offers access to over 230 resources and tools that are indispensable in the fight against the emergence of malaria resistance, currently the most pressing threat to malaria control in the East African region. These resources span various categories, including WHO therapeutic efficacy trial templates, data management protocols, genome surveillance procedures, and laboratory guides. This demonstration highlighted how MOXIE-BOT tackles key challenges, such as language barriers and the need for real-time updates, thereby enhancing the inclusivity and effectiveness of health interventions.

The launch of MOXIE-BOT at the MIM Conference marks meaningful progress in using digital health tools to strengthen the fight against malaria in Africa. By providing an intuitive platform for accessing vital information and resources, MOXIE-BOT is set to play a crucial role in enhancing public health responses and ensuring that progress in malaria control is sustained and advanced.