On Thursday, 23 April, Kim Johnson MP visited Innovative Vector Control Consortium (IVCC) and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) to see how UK-supported innovation is helping to tackle malaria.
The visit, held ahead of World Malaria Day on 25 April, marked the first time Malaria No More UK‘s malaria toolbox has been demonstrated to a UK Member of Parliament in their constituency. The toolbox brings together the latest malaria control tools and innovations in development, designed to be used in combination to maximise impact and help end malaria, highlighting both current impact and future potential.
IVCC played a central role in the demonstration, showing the tools our partners provided in the toolbox. IVCC’s Chris Larkin, Director of Communications & Operations and Laura Roberts, Communications Manager, led demonstrations of key vector control tools, including next-generation mosquito nets to address insecticide resistance and spatial emanators that provide an added layer of protection against daytime mosquito biting, when residents of a household are active within the home and not sleeping under a net.
Kim Johnson MP, said:
It’s great to once again have an opportunity to hear about Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and the Innovative Vector Control Consortium’s (IVCC’s) exciting working here on our doorstep.
After visiting Ghana last year, I have seen first-hand the impact of our investment in the fight against malaria, and I will continue to work with colleagues to ensure that we maintain the UK’s proud record as a leading partner in global health. Now we can. Now we must.
The visit provided an opportunity to explore how UK-supported research and innovation is being translated into practical tools that protect communities at risk of malaria. Kim heard about UK-led research and innovation has played an important role in developing new vector control tools, supported by government funding and multilateral investment. But progress has slowed in recent years, with rising insecticide and drug resistance, funding gaps and climate pressures threatening to reverse gains.
Chris Larkin, Director of Communications & Operations said:
We are proud to carry out this work in Liverpool and grateful to Kim for keen support here and in Westminster. Malaria science is a real success story for the UK, and good for the UK economy. Our global health R&D ecosystem is an important part of the wider life sciences sector and needs continued support, including through funding for Product Development Partnerships that harness innovative expertise from across the sector to develop lifesaving vector control tools.
The visit highlighted the strength of collaboration among IVCC, LSTM, Malaria No More UK, and partners across the global health community. Research and development led in Liverpool is supporting malaria programmes worldwide, working alongside scientists, health systems and communities in endemic countries.
Ahead of World Malaria Day, the message from those leading this work is clear: the tools exist, but continued investment and coordinated action are needed to ensure they reach the communities that need them most.
