The Conference will consist of plenary presentations by world-renowned experts, numerous symposia on a broad range of topics, and daily poster sessions. The diversity of participants and symposia panelists will provide the Conference attendee with a global perspective on the scientific solutions to effectively prevent malaria and reduce its burden. It aims to maximize the impact of scientific research on malaria in Africa through promotion of capacity building and facilitation of global collaboration and coordination. The initiative creates a forum for exchange of resources, information and ideas between African malaria researchers and those working in developed countries, and thus fosters global collaborations among the groups working in malaria. Establishing communication and interaction also assists the groups working on malaria to focus on common problems and reinforces the need to collaborate more closely.
Malaria is a major disease in Africa and a primary cause of poverty.
Every day 5,000 children die from malaria. Every year there are more than 1 billion clinical cases among children and adults worldwide. This Pan-African Conference is a tremendous opportunity for scientists, clinicians and public health workers to share their knowledge and experience with colleagues from across Africa and from around the world. The MIM-Conferences in Dakar in January 1997 and Durban in March 1999 provided opportunities for African scientists to meet, strengthen partnerships, facilitate exchange of information, share resources and expertise, and discuss the standardization of research methodologies and reagents. These Conferences have played a key role in encouraging collaboration and linkages of limited and fragmented resources in Africa into a network that can have a stronger scientific and public health impact.