15th Ethiopian Malaria Research Network Symposium Launched at Jimma University
The 15th Annual Ethiopian Malaria Research Network (EMRN) Symposium, themed “Sustain the Gains: Bridging Research and Innovations for Sustainable Impact on Malaria,” was officially opened at Jimma University by Dr. Mesay Hailu, Director General of the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI). Co-hosted by EPHI, the Federal Ministry of Health and Jimma, the event united researchers, policymakers, health professionals, and global partners in a collective push to eliminate malaria.
Attendees, including representatives from WHO and Africa CDC, were urged to engage actively. The event closed with a call to turn evidence into execution, positioning Ethiopia as a leader in malaria elimination, with Jimma University’s academic legacy and EPHI’s renewed EMRN leadership as cornerstones of this pivotal gathering.
Dr. Jemal Abafita, President of Jimma University, delivered a welcoming address, expressing pride in hosting the symposium at an institution dedicated to health sciences and community engagement. He highlighted Jimma University’s role in addressing malaria’s regional impact and thanked co-hosts for their collaboration.
Dr. Getachew Tollera, Deputy Director General of EPHI, delivered a compelling welcome address, citing the 2023 WHO World Malaria Report, which reported 249 million global cases and 608,000 deaths, with Africa accounting for 94% of cases. In Ethiopia, despite a 50% reduction in malaria incidence since 2010, 6 million annual cases persist, with 60% of the population at risk. Emerging threats, such as artemisinin resistance and climate-driven expansion of transmission zones, highlight the critical role of research in sustaining progress.
Dr. Getachew Tollera highlighted EPHI’s role as a Center of Excellence for Public Health, designated by Africa CDC, and its leadership in managing the National Health Data Repository and Public Health Emergency Management. He noted critical timing: 90 days since Ethiopia’s revised Malaria Elimination Roadmap targeting 2030. Jimma University, praised for its academic excellence and public health commitment, was a fitting host. Attendees, including Dr. Jemal Abafita, President of Jimma University, Dr. Hiwot Solomon, CEO of Disease Prevention and Control, and representatives from WHO and Africa CDC, were urged to engage courageously, with every insight seen as a potential breakthrough.
Dr. Hiwot Solomon’s talk addressed challenges driving malaria upsurges, including the invasive Anopheles mosquitoes in different areas, insecticide and drug resistance, climate-driven transmission zone expansion, and socio-economic factors. She credited Ethiopia’s control of recent upsurges to enhanced surveillance, rapid responses, and EMRN-informed, praising EMRN’s role in evidence generation. Dr. Hiwot Solomon thanked the organizers and co-hosting institutions EPHI, Jimma University, the Federal Ministry of Health.
Dr. Mesay Hailu officially opened the symposium, framing it as a reaffirmation of Ethiopia’s mission to eradicate malaria. He outlined three pillars scientific rigor, cross-sectoral collaboration, and sustainable impact and celebrated EPHI’s new role as EMRN coordinator, a mandate endorsed by the Ministry of Health.
In his opening speech, Dr. Mesay Hailu emphasized the symposium’s role as a reaffirmation of Ethiopia’s mission to eradicate malaria, describing it as a platform for uniting thinkers, scientists, and implementers across disciplines and borders. He underscored malaria’s complex nature as a socio-economic, ecological, and developmental challenge, particularly affecting vulnerable populations, and stressed the need for rigorous science and urgent public health action to address its persistent burden.
The symposium outlined three guiding pillars, as articulated by Dr. Hailu:
Scientific Rigor and Innovation: Showcasing advancements in diagnostics, genomic surveillance, integrated vector management, and climate-adaptive transmission modeling.
Cross-Sectoral Collaboration: Fostering synergy among ministries, academia, public health agencies, and partners.
Sustainable Impact: Translating discussions into policies and interventions that save lives.
A significant milestone was the official endorsement of EPHI as the coordinator of EMRN by the Ministry of Health. Since 2010, EPHI has led EMRN, organizing annual symposiums and building a vibrant research community.
Dr. Mesay Hailu announced the formal launch of EPHI’s renewed leadership role, pledging to strengthen the network in collaboration with universities and partners. This transition marks a new chapter for EMRN’s mission to drive evidence-based malaria control.
The event set ambitious goals:
Deliver three actionable recommendations for the National Malaria Elimination Council.
Identify five priority studies addressing gaps in surveillance, treatment, and climate adaptation.
Craft a unified World Malaria Day message: “Evidence to Action—No More Delays.”
The symposium opened with gratitude to the organizing committee, partners, and participants, and a call to turn evidence into execution. As Dr. Hailu declared, “This symposium is a cornerstone of our response, shaping the future of malaria research and control in Ethiopia.”
15th Ethiopian Malaria Research Network Symposium and EMRN Coordination Handover Ceremony Held at Jimma University
EMRN Coordination Handover Ceremony
A highlight of the event was the ceremonial handover of EMRN coordination to EPHI, formalized by Dr. Hiwot Solomon, CEO of Disease Prevention and Control at the Ministry of Health, to Dr. Mesay Hailu, Director General of EPHI, and Dr. Getachew Tollera, Deputy Director General of EPHI. Dr. Hiwot Solomon emphasized EMRN’s critical role in supporting the National Malaria Control Program through evidence generation and collaboration since its inception in 2010. She congratulated EPHI on its new mandate, urging strong coordination to enhance the network’s impact on malaria research and policy. Dr. Mesay Hailu expressed EPHI’s commitment to leading EMRN as the mandated research institute, pledging to foster robust partnerships and ensure research translates into actionable interventions. The handover marked a new chapter for EMRN, reinforcing EPHI’s leadership in malaria research coordination.
Professor Delenasaw Yewhalaw provided a comprehensive update on EMRN’s strategic plan and its evolution since 2010. He underscored the network’s importance in fostering coordinated research, catalyzing innovation, and building national capacity for malaria control. Professor Yewhalaw highlighted EMRN’s achievements, including its role in informing policies like the adoption of dual-active ingredient nets. He acknowledged the contributions of institutes, individual researchers, and committee members, emphasizing their collective impact on Ethiopia’s malaria elimination efforts. The updated strategic plan aims to strengthen collaboration, prioritize emerging challenges like vector resistance, and align with the 2030 elimination goal.
The symposium set ambitious objectives:
Deliver three actionable recommendations for the National Malaria Elimination Council.
Identify five priority studies on surveillance, treatment, and climate adaptation.
Craft a unified World Malaria Day message: “Evidence to Action No More Delays.”