Working to end Malaria by 2030 and funding for Health Security innovations

  • Media release

Malariaremains a health security threat for many in our region. Today at the MalariaSummit High-Level Panel Discussion at CHOGM in London, I announced three newinitiatives as part of our goal to eliminate malaria in the Indo-Pacific by2030.

In July2018, Melbourne will host the first MalariaWorld Congress (MWC)to boost cooperation, innovation and action for malaria elimination.

Australiawill also support the Australia Awards Health SecurityFellowships forhealth security professionals from the Greater Mekong Subregion – the epicentrefor antimalarial drug resistance.

TheAustralian Government is providing $700,000 for these important newinitiatives.

Inaddition, through Australia's landmark Health Security Initiative, four ProductDevelopment Partnerships (PDPs) have each been awarded $18.75 million over theperiod 2018 to 2022. With these funds:

  • theMedicines for Malaria Venture will develop and facilitate the uptake of newantimalarial drugs;
  • theFoundation for Innovative New Diagnostics will accelerate the development andadoption of better diagnostic tools and testing protocols for TB and malaria;
  • theInnovative Vector Control Consortium will develop and disseminate vectorcontrol technologies for malaria and other deadly mosquito-borne diseases; and
  • theTB Alliance will research new TB drugs and treatment regimens, including fordrug-resistant TB.

Commonwealthcountries bear 90 per cent of the world's malaria burden. Malaria and TB areincreasingly difficult to treat due to the emergence of drug resistance,particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.

Thisannouncement increases Australia's annual funding for PDPs from$10 million to $15 million and provides funding certainty for up tofive years.

In myrole as the End Malaria Council's first and only representative fromthe Indo-Pacific, these are important initiatives to progress malariaelimination regionally and globally. Since being invited to join the EndMalaria Council in 2017, I have used this platform to champion malaria actionin our region, which suffers one of the highest malaria burdens outsidesub-Saharan Africa.

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