The fight against malaria is going strong! Besides fully engaging in malaria research, it's been such an honor serving and getting involved in malaria advocacy with United Nations Foundation's Nothing But Nets Campaign since 2017. It’s such an honor to be involved with the Nothing but Nets campaign. I first had the opportunity to advocate for malaria elimination on Capitol Hill with Nothing But Nets in November of 2017 during the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Advocacy Day. I met with my members of Congress and discussed the need for increased funding for malaria, as well as the important leadership role of the US in the fight to defeat malaria. Thus far it has been great actively participating in the malaria advocacy meetings on Capitol Hill – meeting with many Congressional staffers and even having the opportunity to speak with my Congressman, Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD) and convincing him to author a floor statement in support of U.S. leadership to end malaria globally. The Nothing but Nets campaign has given me a platform upon which I can raise awareness and engage policy-makers about the need for strengthening our health systems and supporting scientific research and prevention efforts both locally and globally.
Eliminating malaria or any other infectious disease requires a cohesive approach and working in partnership – scientists, medical professionals, community health workers, governments and the public each play a vital role. It is paramount that we increase collaborative efforts through foreign relations, increase funding to ensure more innovative and expanded research, expand education and engagement at the grassroots level, and strengthen health research infrastructures & systems in malaria endemic countries. Malaria is both a public health and global health concern that is linked not only to maternal and child-health; it is tied to political stability, national security and economic growth. Therefore, advocacy plays a huge role. Advocates are leaders, we give hope and help create change. Advocacy provides us the platform to tell our survival stories and be the voice to the vulnerable. Reaching out to the public and meeting with members of congress is one of the powerful ways we can continue to march forward in the fight against malaria towards eventual elimination. It is one of my dreams that one day the whole world will be malaria-free and that my generation will be able to say that we #defeatedmalaria.