The South African Medical Research Council’s Malaria Research Group to host a three-day conference titled ‘On the road to elimination…are we there yet?’

Pretoria, South Africa | The 8th Southern Africa Malaria Research Conference will take place from 1-3 August 2023 at the RH Hotel in Pretoria. This first in-person gathering since 2019 is hosted by the South African Medical Research Council’s Malaria Research Group (MRG) in collaboration with the National Department of Health under theme "On the road to elimination…are we there yet?” with both scientific and poster sessions dedicated to this topic.

Although the primary objective of the gathering is to create a platform for experienced and emerging scientists to showcase their work, it also brings together policymakers, public health practitioners and health officials with the aim of sharing ideas, expertise and lessons across organizations and countries in the areas of malaria control, elimination, and innovation.

This year’s event focusses on South Africa and the region’s efforts and progress towards achieving malaria elimination. A number of countries, including South Africa, have now embarked on a malaria elimination agenda since the transmission of the disease has been drastically reduced, especially in the Southern African region. Other key discussion topics include the impact of vector and parasite control, advocacy for malaria elimination and new and innovative tools to eliminate the disease.

Of the 16 SADC countries, eight are targeting elimination by 2030. The meeting provides an opportunity for scientists to share their research findings with colleagues from the region as well as the wider malaria research community.  The event will be opened by the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo and with a keynote address by Dr Roop Kumari from the World Health Organization, India.

Professor Rajendra Maharaj, Director for the SAMRC Malaria Research Group said, “although a South Africa free of malaria is within our grasp, there are still challenges to overcome to achieve elimination free status.”

Note to editors:

For more information on the programme and other important details please visit: https://malariaconference.mrc.ac.za/about.html

Further enquiries:

1. Prof Rajenda Maharaj
   Unit Director: Malaria Research Group
   Email: Rajendra.maharaj@mrc.ac.za
    
2. Ms Yolanda Phakela
   Public Relations Manager
   Email: Yolanda.Phakela@mrc.ac.za
   Mobile: +27 73 801 3691