Abu Dhabi: The Global Institute for Disease Elimination (GLIDE), working under the guidance of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, has unveiled a new regional initiative to bolster efforts in eradicating malaria and preventing its resurgence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the initiative focuses on analyzing national data to comprehend malaria receptivity and its decline in the MENA region. The project is managed by the entomology and vector control unit at the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, in collaboration with the University of Oxford, the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), and the WHO Global Malaria Programme (GMP). This project receives full funding from GLIDE.
Dr. Farida Al Hosani, Deputy CEO of GLIDE, shared that the initiative encompasses 18 countries and aims to create a regional electronic database documenting factors influencing malaria transmission over the past century, as reported by Emirates News Agency (WAM).
The database will include detailed maps, environmental data, and statistics on mosquito breeding sites, specifically examining the historical spread and environmental range of Anopheles mosquitoes, the primary vector of malaria.
Dr. Al Hosani highlighted that the platform is designed to improve data sharing, enhance risk mapping, and strengthen regional capacity to prevent the resurgence of malaria. It will also support evidence-based interventions, strategic capacity-building, and assist countries in maintaining malaria-free status.
The initiative also aims to serve as a crucial tool in enhancing the allocation of resources, customizing interventions to meet national needs in the MENA region, and improving policy and strategy frameworks to counter the reintroduction of malaria.
The data system will integrate a diverse range of inputs, including historical and contemporary entomological surveillance, climatic and environmental variables like temperature, rainfall, land cover, and vector mapping to pinpoint areas at highest risk.
Dr. Al Hosani confirmed that the database is anticipated to be completed by July 2025, covering countries in both EMRO and AFRO WHO regions. Although most participating countries are currently malaria-free, the risk of re-emergence remains significant due to human mobility and the persistent presence of Anopheles mosquitoes.
She also disclosed plans to expand the platform in the future to incorporate other vector-borne diseases as part of an integrated health surveillance strategy.