Webinar: Launch of new antimalarial drug resistance strategy for Africa

Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is the mainstay of malaria care in Africa, where the disease is by far the most prevalent. The treatment, introduced in the early 2000s, has played a major role in lowering the burden of malaria over the last 2 decades.

In recent years, however, WHO has been concerned by reports of emerging drug-resistant malaria in Africa. Parasites in some areas have developed partial resistance to artemisinin – the core compound of ACTs – and there are worrying signs that they may also be resistant to other drugs that are commonly partnered with artemisinin. Vigorous measures are needed to protect their efficacy.

On 18 November 2022, WHO will launch a new strategy to respond to the urgent problem of antimalarial drug resistance in Africa. The strategy is being released during World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, a global annual campaign to improve awareness of the growing threat of resistance to antibiotics and other medicines.

Date: 18 November 2022

Time: 10:30 CET

Language: Discussions in English with simultaneous interpretation in French

Programme

10:30 – Welcome and introductions by Dr Andrea Bosman, Director a.i., Global Malaria Programme, WHO (Moderator)

10:35 – Video message by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General

Introductory remarks and presentation of the Strategy to respond to antimalarial drug resistance in Africa 

10:40 – Dr Haileyesus Getahun, Director, Department of Global Coordination and Partnership, Antimicrobial Resistance Division, WHO

10:45 – Dr Benido Impouma, Director, Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases, WHO Regional Office for Africa 

10:50 – Dr Yvan Hutin, Director, Communicable Disease Control, WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean

10:55 – Dr Pascal Ringwald, Coordinator, Global Malaria Programme, WHO

11:15 – Strategy to respond to antimalarial drug resistance in Africa: country and partners’ perspectives

• Dr Aline Uwimana, Rwanda Biomedical Centre
• Dr Corine Karema, Interim CEO, RBM Partnership to End Malaria
• Dr Roopal Patel, Senior Malaria Advisor, Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
• Dr David Walton, Coordinator, US President Malaria Initiative

11:30 – Questions & answers

11:55 – Closing remarks, Dr Andrea Bosman, Director a.i. Global Malaria Programme, WHO

Video recordings