Fight against malaria in Africa, meeting in the Chamber of Deputies on Wednesday 8 May

Shared commitment and new collaborations: Rome in dialogue with Senegal, Benin and other countries in the western region

(Photo credits profile X @FriendsEurope)

ROME – ‘Malaria in West Africa: challenges, innovations and opportunities for collaborative action’: this is the title of a conference scheduled for Wednesday 8 May at the Chamber of Deputies with national and international participation, in person and remotely, also from Geneva, Dakar and Porto-Novo.

CHALLENGES, INNOVATIONS AND COLLABORATIONS

The premise is the desire to address a public health challenge in an area marked by high transmission rates and significant morbidity and mortality. Promoting and hosting the meeting was the Honorable Paolo Ciani, deputy group leader in the Chamber of the Pd-Idp group and secretary of Solidarity Democracy, in his capacity as president of the Bilateral Italy-West Africa Friendship Section . “This region is among the most affected globally, with several countries consistently recording some of the highest numbers of malaria cases every year” is highlighted in a preparatory document for the meeting. “According to recent reports from the World Health Organization, West Africa accounts for a substantial portion of the 241 million cases of malaria and 627 thousand deaths > esteemed worldwide”. The studies, we read again in the text, which recalls Italy’s responsibilities also as rotating president of the G7, confirm that “children under the age of five and pregnant women in these Countries are particularly vulnerable and suffer from high rates of serious illness and death.” During the meeting, scheduled from 3pm to 4pm in the Busti room, we will discuss “epidemiological challenges”, “social and economic impact”, “current efforts and gaps” and then “strategies of support”, in particular with the commitment of the Italian experience in the fight against malaria through “joint initiatives and shared insights”.

FROM GENEVA, DAKAR AND PORTO-NOVO

After Ciani’s opening, speeches are expected from Stefano Vella, vice-president of the organization Friends of the Global Funds Europe and professor at the Catholic University, from Francesca Maremonti, researcher at the Institute for International Affairs (IAI), the Senegalese deputies Abdou Mbow and Julie Zingan and the Honorable Ake Natonde< /strong>, parliamentarian from Benin. Following observations by Professor Pietro Alano, of the Higher Institute of Health, by Francoise Vanni, director of external relations of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, and by Eduard Molnar, director of external relations for the Gavi alliance. The meeting was moderated by Vincenzo Giardina, journalist from the Dire agency.