Karachi (Khyber Mail): The Aga Khan University (AKU), in collaboration with local and global partners, launched the Thatta Malaria Elimination Plan (TMEP) on World Malaria Day to tackle malaria in one of Pakistan’s most severely affected regions. With over 10,000 cases reported in Thatta in 2023, the initiative aims to make the region malaria-free and serve as a model for replication in other malaria-endemic areas.
Led by Prof. M. Asim Beg, TMEP’s Project Lead, the plan addresses malaria as a multidimensional challenge driven by socioeconomic vulnerabilities, climate change, and post-flood consequences. It is supported by the Government of Pakistan, the Government of Sindh, and international partners such as GLIDE, Zenysis Technologies, and Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, combining financial resources, data expertise, and global insights.
The initiative builds upon the Malaria Elimination Consortium, established by AKU in 2023, to support the national malaria strategy. The TMEP integrates findings from the EFFORT clinical trial, which introduced novel treatment options like Tafenoquine, a single-dose drug with potential to dramatically reduce recurrence rates and address treatment abandonment challenges in Pakistan.
Dr. Azra Pechuho, Sindh’s Minister for Health and Patron-in-Chief of the project, praised the partnership, highlighting its potential to improve the health system and uplift affected communities. The plan also seeks to involve local actors and grassroots communities, aiming to enhance diagnosis, treatment, and long-term malaria prevention.
Aligned with the World Malaria Day theme, “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite”, the TMEP signifies a collaborative step toward tackling a global health crisis and achieving a malaria-free future.