Fourth MRG Meeting
The Fourth Malaria Reference Group (MRG) Meeting was held in Tanna, Vanuatu in May 2009. This was hosted by the Vanuatu’s National Vector Borne Disease Control Program, Ministry of Health. The Malaria Reference Group’s role is to provide strategic advice on the development and effectiveness of the Pacific Malaria Initiative – an AusAID funded initiative designed to support Solomon Islands and Vanuatu eliminate malaria. The MRG is consisted of highly regarded international experts and representatives of the Ministries of Health in both countries. The MRG is chaired by Professor Sir Richard Feachem, former Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Excellent progress has been made in both the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu in reducing malaria incidence and preparing for the major scale-up in control and elimination interventions. Topics and issues that received particular attention during MRG IV Meeting include:
- Elimination strategy
- Challenges to the malaria program by health systems in both Vanuatu and Solomon Islands
- Monitoring and Evaluation for control and elimination
- Update of Treatment guidelines in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu
- Partnerships for malaria elimination
