This year (2022), the Malaria Champions (MC) Committee has reviewed the initiative to better respond to current and future challenges, taking into account the new Plan of Action for the Elimination of Malaria 2021-2025. The need to promote greater appropriation by the Ministries of Health and other actors in the countries, as well as greater use of the potential of social networks and a need for more permanent actions, among other aspects have motivated this revision.
In this context, the MC Committee organized two consultation sessions (July 2022) that aimed at developing a strategy that takes into consideration the country participants’ opinions. National malaria stakeholders, former malaria champions, program officers and collaborators at both international and local levels took part on the sessions.
The award, instead of being the final goal of the championship, should be a stimulus to sustain achievements and inspire other practices. This can be achieved through different actions:
By the end of 2022, in coordination with the Malaria Champions Committee, PAHO will initiate the implementation of the aforementioned changes. The 2023 Malaria Champions Call will be sent during the first quarter; the new champions will be recognized during the celebration of Malaria Day in the Americas 2023, along these new strategy lines. The 2023 Call will include the new elements to encourage the countries in their important role of documenting their candidates’ achievements. In the same vein, the 2023 process will start implementation of actions aimed at stimulating sustainability, one of the most important element debated during the rethinking process.