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The Outlook: Malaria Solutions
The Outlook: Malaria Solutions
By Shuma Panse
RECENT PROGRESS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST MALARIA HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIVE. Advancements in several critical areas—vaccine development, bed net distribution, and multisectoral collaborations across the public, private, and civil-society sectors—are beginning to impact malaria morbidity and mortality in the most vulnerable populations.
Malaria Vaccine
A recent study published in The Lancet reports that GlaxoSmithKline's investigational RTS,S/AS02 malaria vaccine has a promising safety and tolerability profile in infants. Results indicated that the vaccine reduced malaria parasite infection and clinical illness in the infant age group that is most vulnerable to disease and death from malaria. After the infants received all three doses of the vaccine, efficacy against new infections was 65 percent over a three-month follow-up period, according to the study. Results indicated that the vaccine reduced episodes of clinical malaria by 35 percent over a six-month follow-up period, starting after the first dose.
The vaccine trial was conducted by the Manhiça Health Research Centre in Mozambique by a team of researchers from the Hospital Clinic of the University of Barcelona and the Mozambique Ministry of Health. The PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI), which is a key partner in the clinical development of RTS,S, provided funding for the trial with a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Through strong public-private partnerships with African research institutions in five countries, the MVI and GlaxoSmithKline have succeeded in advancing the research agenda for malaria. Planned next steps for the RTS,S vaccine include testing in a phase III trial, scheduled to begin in the second half of 2008.
Increased Bed Net Use
ITNs (insecticide-treated nets) are among the most effective interventions to prevent the onset of malaria. The scaling up of malaria control via bed net distribution has been the primary focus of many malaria prevention programs of late. These efforts are generating results. According to a newly released report by UNICEF entitled, "Malaria and Children: Progress in Intervention Coverage," 16 of the 20 sub-Saharan African countries with data available increased ITN used by at least three-fold in two years.
In Zambia, GBC and its member companies have contributed to bed net distribution and malaria prevention via an innovative public-private partnership. In 2007, GBC and its members, in collaboration with the Office for the US Global AIDS Coordinator and the President's Malaria Initiative purchased and distributed 500,000 LLINs (long-lasting insecticide-treated nets) throughout the country. Bed net distribution was coordinated by RAPIDS, a local Zambian NGO with an extensive network of community health workers who distributed the nets and also educated the recipients on malaria prevention. The swift and efficient distribution of such a large number of nets can be attributed to the collaborative nature of this project, with each partner playing a key role in their respective areas of expertise.
Collaboration for Greatest Impact
Despite recent successes in the fight against malaria and high-profile attention in the world press, much work remains to be done. Malaria continues to affect large numbers of women and children, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. To address the disease in a way that will have the most impact, it is clear that public, private, and civil society must all continue to collaborate and develop innovative partnerships. The role of the private sector is critical in malaria research and development. Moving forward, the private sector's role will grow in the area of program implementation, particularly to address procurement, logistics, and supply chain issues. To reach the goals of malaria control, elimination, and, ultimately, eradication, effective and meaningful collaboration is essential.
