In a decisive move to counter the growing threat of antimalarial drug resistance, a research consortium led by the University of Cape Town (UCT) has unveiled the first Regional Detailed Action Plan to tackle drug-resistant malaria across East Africa. The plan, formally adopted by health ministers from the East African Community (EAC) in May 2025, marks a critical step toward protecting millions from a potential resurgence of malaria-related deaths.
The plan was developed by the Mitigating Antimalarial Resistance Consortium in South-East Africa (MARC SE-Africa), in partnership with the EAC Roll Back Malaria Secretariat, and officially endorsed at the 25th Ordinary Meeting of the EAC Sectoral Council of Ministers of Health.
With more than 300 million people—over 80% of the region’s population—living in malaria-endemic areas, the rise in resistance to artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), the gold standard in malaria treatment, poses a grave threat to public health. The regional plan introduces a unified framework that focuses on strengthened surveillance, enhanced treatment protocols, and cross-border collaboration.
“This endorsement reflects the power of African-led scientific collaboration,” said Dr. Stephanie van Wyk, UCT senior researcher and technical advisor to the consortium. “It’s a model of how regional solidarity, science, and policy alignment can come together to address one of our most urgent health challenges.”
Backed by leading global and regional health organisations—including the President’s Malaria Initiative, Global Fund, Clinton Health Access Initiative, Medicines for Malaria Venture, and the African Leaders Malaria Alliance—the initiative combines political will with scientific urgency.
Unlike previous fragmented national efforts, this action plan stresses coordinated regional action, including integrated drug-resistance surveillance systems, regional drug stockpiling, shared data platforms, and joint capacity-building for frontline health professionals.
“Drug resistance doesn’t respect borders,” noted Prof. Karen Barnes, lead investigator of MARC SE-Africa. “This plan isn’t just a temporary solution—it’s a long-term strategy to safeguard East Africa’s public health.”
The project is funded by the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP3) and supported by a wide coalition of African and European institutions. It underscores UCT’s rising influence in translating research into impactful public health policy.
As the plan enters its implementation phase, its success will depend on sustained funding, regional cooperation, and adaptive governance, with hopes that it will serve as a blueprint for other regions facing similar threats from drug-resistant infectious diseases.
Article by RB Reporter
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