| 07 Janvier 2011
WHAT: The World Health Organization (WHO), together with the Roll Back Malaria Partnership (RBM), will launch the Global Plan for Artemisinin Resistance Containment to guide efforts in preventing the spread of resistance to artemisinins, the critical component of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), the most potent weapon in treating falciparum malaria, which is the most deadly form of the disease. WHO malaria experts will discuss the latest information on key resistance data and the actions proposed as part of the containment plan.
Artemisinin-based combination therapies remain the most effective treatments for uncomplicated falciparum malaria, but resistance to artemisinins has been reported at the border between Cambodia and Thailand. Thus, public health experts are concerned that the usefulness of these treatments will be threatened unless there is immediate action.
Official launch:
WHO: Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General, World Health Organization
- Dr. Pascal Ringwald, Coordinator, Drug Resistance and Containment Unit,
- Global Malaria Programme, WHO
- Dr. Robert Newman, Director, Global Malaria Programme, WHO
- Dr. Awa Marie Coll-Seck, Executive Director, Roll Back Malaria Partnership
- Dr. Mario Raviglione, Director, Stop TB, WHO
- Dr. Hiroki Nakatani, Assistant Director-General, HIV, Tuberculosis, Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases, WHO
WHEN: Wednesday, 12 January 2011, 10:00 – 12:00 CET
WHERE: World Health Organization Headquarters, 20, Avenue Appia, Salle C, 5th floor, Geneva, Switzerland
Media session: Media are welcome to join the launch event. In addition, WHO's malaria experts will hold a press conference after the event.
WHEN: 12:00-12:30
WHERE: World Health Organization Headquarters, Library Room
SPEAKERS:
- Dr. Robert Newman, Director, WHO Global Malaria Programme
- Dr. Pascal Ringwald, Coordinator, WHO Global Malaria Programme
- Dr. Awa Marie Coll-Seck, Executive Director, Roll Back Malaria Partnership