25 June 2010

The Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network (APMEN) today is launching the APMEN Research Grant Program, which aims to assist in the development of new tools and measures to eliminate malaria in the Asia Pacific region.

The Network is composed of 10 countries working to eliminate malaria (Bhutan, China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Republic of Korea, the Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, and Vanuatu) along with partner and research institutions in the region, including the World Health Organization (WHO).

In this inaugural funding round, grants will focus on the malaria parasite Plasmodium vivax, whose persistent liver stage makes it less vulnerable to elimination efforts.

“Over 2 billion people in Asia are at risk of vivax malaria with an estimated 250 million infections per year. Recent studies have highlighted an association between Plasmodium vivax, severe disease and death.” Professor Ric Price from the Menzies School of Health Research said.

Menzies School of Health Research has a coordinating role with APMEN’s Vivax Working Group and will facilitate applicants from the ten APMEN countries to undertake research in this area.

“If the global goal for malaria elimination is to be realised, then the challenges of controlling Plasmodium vivax will need to be optimised in the malaria endemic countries of the Asia-Pacific region.” Professor Price said.

APMEN Project Manager Arna Chancellor said the project would strengthen the exchanges and lesson sharing between APMEN countries and partner institutions in the region.

Proposals for short-term operational research or scientific evaluations of existing programmes can now be submitted from individuals or organisations endorsed by their National Malaria Control Program from the ten APMEN countries.

These research grants have been made possible with support from the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).

Further information regarding the APMEN Research Grant Program can be viewed at www.apmen.org.

About the Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network

The Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network (APMEN) was established in 2009 to bring attention and support to the under-appreciated and little-known work of malaria elimination in Asia Pacific, with a particular focus on Plasmodium vivax.

APMEN is composed of ten founding Asia Pacific countries (Bhutan, China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Republic of Korea, the Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, and Vanuatu) that are pursuing malaria elimination, as well as leaders and experts from key multilateral and academic agencies.

The mission of this diverse but cohesive Network is to collaboratively address the unique challenges of malaria elimination in the region through leadership, advocacy, capacity building, knowledge exchange, and building the evidence base. Recent APMEN initiatives include: a Fellowship Program and Research Grants. Development of the Network took place in 2008 through the leadership of the UCSF Global Health Group (GHG) and the School of Population Health, University of Queensland (SPH/UQ). APMEN collaborates closely with the WHO and is supported by the Australian Government through its international aid agency AusAID with a commitment of nearly $7 million for ongoing support to the Network. This complements Australia's overall support for malaria control and elimination in the Asia Pacific and Globally.

‘ENDS’

Media Contacts:

Victoria Close , Menzies School of Health Research Communications Officer
T: 08 89435039 |M: 0447 275 415| email: victoria.close@menzies.edu.au |

Arna Chancellor , APMEN Program Manager
T: 07 3365 5446 | email: a.chancellor@uq.edu.au |