We are excited to announce the first Malaria Live Talks episode, part of our series of webinars exploring how the coronavirus will impact ongoing efforts to combat malaria, was launched in early December and is now available on demand on BAAM’s LinkedIn page. The webinar was broadcast live on LinkedIn on the 4th of December. BAAM thanks panelists Joy Phumaphi, Executive Secretary, African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), Rima Shretta, Honorary Visiting Research Fellow, University of Oxford’s Center for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, and Patrik Silborn, Senior Director Resource Mobilization and Financing, Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA) for sharing their perspectives. We would as well like to think moderator Eric Olander, Managing Editor and Co-Founder of the China Africa Project for facilitating an insightful discussion.
The webinar identified the main challenges prompted by the current COVID pandemic, including difficulties with diagnosis of both diseases due to the overlap of some symptoms, limitations on access to health facilities (due to lockdowns), and ongoing interruptions of case management and prevention programs. Additionally, panelists examined economic factors impacting the future of malaria initiatives, noting that countries are likely to face shortfalls as the demand for services outpaces their ability to generate the revenues needed to sustain funding over the long term.
Panelists also identified some examples of successful private sector malaria initiatives. Joy Phumaphi commented that the private sector in Sub-Saharan Africa is very conscious of the economic cost of malaria. She then highlighted that “malaria on its own, before COVID-19, has a huge impact on GDP, so the private sector has been very keen to engage in treatment and preventive efforts.” She reported that the Zambia End Malaria Council has effectively coalesced members from the public and private sector organizations, civil society and other groups to execute an advertising campaign via public radio and television to reduce the stigma associated with COVID-19 and to inform people to which entity they should turn to when they have fever —a symptom that both COVID-19 and malaria share. Other countries have set up End Malaria Councils and Funds where the private sector is engaged as well. Patrick Silborn noted that The M2030 initiative in Asia, led by ALMA, has done a good job of empowering CEOs of companies to help champion malaria programs.
The group also looked at opportunities to improve malaria initiatives in the coming years. Rima Shretta outlined some next steps to address funding challenges, including continuing advocacy efforts for malaria, investigating other sources of funding beyond traditional donors and implementing innovative financing programs. Of note, Patrik added that community health workers could leverage skills, training and lessons learned from the pandemic to support mobilization campaigns against other infectious diseases, including malaria. Panelists also noted the World Economic Forum and other events could be utilized to help reshine the spotlight on malaria.
Listen to the whole webinar here.