Health Policy makers engagement in Fana

Context 

The MRTC-Parasito, an international malaria research program, based in Mali, ensures to carry out its actions in an inclusive manner, including by involving local communities and health policy makers.

The MRTC-Parasito, considered as a center of excellence in Africa, is part of a number of projects to fight this disease.

It is in this context and with the aim of capacity building and experience-sharing between scientists and health decision makers that the MRTC-Parasito and the National Malaria Control Program have organized on 25-26 February, 2021 an information meeting at Fana.

• General presentation of the meeting

This meeting took place in the presence of the Minister of Health and Social Development, Dr Fanta Siby, the Mayor of Fana, the Rector of USTTB, Prof. Ouateni Diallo, the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof. Boubacar Traoré, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Odontostomatology, Prof. Seydou Doumbia, the Director of the PNLP, Dr Idrissa Cissé, the Director of the MRTC-Parasito, Prof. Abdoulaye Djimdé, seven PIs of the MRTC-Parasito including Prof. Abdoulaye Djimdé, Prof. Alassane Dicko, Prof. Mahamadou Ali Thera, Prof. Issiaka Sagara, Prof, Kasoum Kayentao, Prof. Boubacar Traoré, Dr. Oumou Maiga as well as the representatives of the MRTC-Entomo.

Mali Director General for Health, Regional Directors of Health of Kayes, Koulikoro, Sikasso, Ségou, Mopti, Gao, Timbuktu, Ménaka, Kidal, Taoudéni and the district of Bamako also attended this meeting.

Since decades, malaria has been a devastating burden in Africa.

The specific objective of this meeting was to share the results of research on malaria and to exchange on the objectives and methodology of new studies and to formulate recommendations. During these days of exchange and sharing, several oral papers were presented by researchers of the MRTC-Parasito on projects funded by EDCTP including WANECAM2, PYRAPREG, PfTVB, ASAAP, or by the NIH including ICEMR, etc...

The meeting has strengthened the skills of health authorities, which will have a significant impact on their capacity to manage, control and ultimately eliminate malaria.

The entire MRTC-Parasito team is delighted with their participation and contribution to such an important meeting. We also thank the participants for sharing their experiencesand suggestions.