ICMR launches Malaria Elimination Research Alliance
ICMR recently launched the Malaria Elimination Research Alliance (MERA)- India and organised the Stakeholders' Meeting at ICMR headquarters, New Delhi to have vibrant discussions on the roadmap of the Alliance. National and International leaders of malaria research, officials from Government of India, NGOs participated in the day long meeting.
Indian Council of Medical Research has established 'Malaria Elimination Research Alliance-India (MERA-India)', which is a conglomeration of partners working on malaria control. The principal activity of the Alliance is to prioritise, plan, conduct, scale up and translate relevant research in a coordinated and combinatorial way in order to have a tangible impact of this research on the population at risk for malaria.
Over the past two decades, India has made impressive progress in malaria control. The malaria burden has declined by over 80% and malaria deaths by over 90%.The success has provided a strong foundation for commitment from the leadership of the Government of India to eliminate malaria in India by 2030. This situation highlights the need for a common platform and shared research agenda and resources through establishment of the Malaria Elimination Research Alliance (MERA) India. MERA India will facilitate trans-institutional coordination and collaboration around a shared research agenda which responds to not only to programmatic challenges and addresses gaps in available tools but also proactively contribute to targeted research.
On the occasion Preeti Sudan, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt of India stated that MERA India alliance is very important to Ministry of Health and Family welfare because of the operational research. "WHO report has appreciated our research for decline in malaria and it is time to ensure its elimination by 2030," she added.
Dr Neena Valecha, Regional Adviser, WHO-SEARO, spoke on the need of support from the government. She mentioned about the need of coordinated approach, research inputs and tools which can guide national programme to develop strategies for the regular changes endemicity in the near malaria elimination era.
Lt Gen Bipin Puri, DG, AFMS, said that Armed force implemented IRS that reduced malaria cases in 1996 from 12.6/1000 to 1.10/1000 nowadays. He also discussed about the measures taken in Northeast for malaria control in Armed Forces such as early diagnosis, treatment and chemoprophylaxis, regular practice of sundown sleeve down approach, and a lot more.
Dr Sundeep Sarin, Adviser, DBT, said that DBT has initiated the programme and sponsored the vaccine project on malaria.
Professor Balram Bhargava, Secretary DHR and DG ICMR mentioned the importance of malaria elimination, need of commitment for cutting edge research and to stick with the time line. Dr Neeraj Dhingra, Director, NVBDCP, Dr RR Gangakhedkar, Head ECD, ICMR, Dr Manju Rahi, Scientist at ICMR, Dr Anup Anvikar, Scientist at ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research discussed about aspects of Malaria elimination research alliance.
