In spite of heavy rains that slowed traffic to a crawl in Nairobi Monday morning, the 5th Multilateral Initiative on Malaria Pan-African Malaria Conference got off to a strong start. Wide ranging topics – everything from genetic mapping to eradication strategies to socioeconomic inequities of private insurance coverage for malaria treatment – have been discussed. The MIM website has a wealth of information on the conference proceedings. Detailed summaries and presentation links are available under “Session Reports“.

My particular interest was on healthcare policy and delivery strategies, which were discussed during the “Socioeconomic Aspects” of Scientific session 6. I hope to have more on an innovative bednet distribution program in Tanzania that subsidizes patient demand using a nationally distributed voucher. With national public sector campaigns to periodically give free bednets being planned, it will be interesting to see what happens to the private bednet distributors who have been able so far to meet the daily bednet needs of many low-income Tanzanians.

There is a lot going on at the conference. To give you a sample, check the daily press releases below.

Meeting news

5 Nov 2009

Transmission-blocking vaccines push towards eradication

New vaccine candidates now aim to stop transmission 
Source: TropIKA
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4 Nov 2009

“YES WE CAN…Stop AIDS, TB, and Malaria!”

Kenyans Rally outside of MIM with a message for Obama 
Source: TropIKA
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3 Nov 2009

Why ACTs aren’t reaching those most in need

The high cost of ACTs is proving a barrier to access, and the spread of dangerous monotherapies continues 
Source: TropIKA
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2 Nov 2009

Opening Ceremony

Greetings from Nairobi, where the 5th Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (MIM) Pan-African Malaria Conference is now officially underway. 
Source: TropIKA
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