First annual meeting in Benin

The PDMC Saves Lives Annual Meeting convened in Benin to chart the future tasks and activities to support the programmes objectives. The two-day event, held in September 2024, brought together stakeholders from multiple countries to evaluate trial designs, share research findings, and align strategies for improving child health outcomes.

The meeting focused on refining the design of the implementation trials in Kenya and Benin,  with the trials aiming to determine the most effective and scalable ways to ensure children recovering from severe malaria receive life-saving follow-up care.

A key highlight was the strong preference among stakeholders for the antimalarial drug Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine (DP) over Artemether-Lumefantrine (AL), citing better adherence, reduced pill burden, and lower resistance risks. Participants also emphasized the need for user-friendly drug packaging, recommending larger fonts, simplified language, and visual aids to help caregivers administer medication correctly.

Stakeholder engagement emerged as a central theme, with calls for inclusive representation from ministries of health, community health workers, and caregivers. “We must design interventions that are not only effective but also acceptable and accessible to the communities we serve,” said Dr Juliet Otieno, Kenya Trial Manager.  .

The meeting also addressed the importance of robust data collection, ethical oversight, and transparent communication. Capacity-building efforts were showcased through presentations by PhD and postdoctoral fellows, highlighting the next generation of African health researchers.

As the trials move toward implementation, the consortium reaffirmed its commitment to evidence-based policymaking, community-centered care, and cross-country collaboration. With support from the European Union’s EDCTP3 program, the PDMC initiative is poised to make a lasting impact on child survival in malaria-endemic regions.

The PDMC Saves Lives initiative exemplifies how science, policy, and community engagement can converge to tackle one of Africa’s most persistent health challenges. The next phase of the project will focus on trial execution, data analysis, and scaling successful strategies across the continent.