The U.S. President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) Coordinator, Dr. David Walton, on December 7th 2022, visited the Ifakara Health Institute Laboratory located in Bagamoyo. The lab will be used for the PMI supported activities in Tanzania.

Dr. Walton, who during the visit was accompanied by the Acquisition Officer Representative (AOR) Ms. Naomi Serbantez from USAID Tanzania, and Ifakara Chief Executive Director, Dr. Honorati Masanja, Shinda Malaria project Chief of Party, Dr. Dunstan Bishanga, Shinda Malaria TES Advisor, Dr. Kefas Mugittu and Lab Manager, Ms. Sarah Mswata.

Dr. Walton Tweeted on the following day, expressing appreciation to Ifakara Health Institute for having such a world-class laboratory. "The @ifakarahealth lab in Bagamoyo is, by far, one of the most impressive I’ve seen on the continent (and what an incredible insectary!).

He also thanked Ifakara for hosting the PMI team for their visit, and said that PMI "is proud to be working with you!"

Earlier in the week, before the Bagamoyo visit, Dr. Walton met with leaders of PMI-funded malaria projects in the country, including Dr. Bishanga, the Chief of the Party for Shinda Malaria project.

Dr. Walton engaged in a dialogue with the leaders and got to hear about the malaria situation and PMI’s support in the country. He also got the opportunity to strengthen his understanding of PMI programming currently ongoing and will also observe the programming taking place at the national, sub-national, and district levels in Tanzania.

Dr. Walton’s tour to Tanzania marks his second country in Africa to visit since he was appointed by President Biden in August 2022.

About Shinda Malaria
Shinda Malaria, a new Ifakara project, is a five-year program (August 2022 – August 2027) that supports the Government of Tanzania in reducing malaria burden and in moving towards malaria elimination. The Activity is made possible by the support of the American people through the US President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The project addresses the urgent healthcare needs of malaria at-risk populations, especially vulnerable pregnant women and children under five, and supports Tanzania partners to grow and execute malaria programs sustainably and successfully.

Shinda Malaria primarily works to support both facility- and community-based malaria activities in all five councils of Katavi region, as well as making contributions to the national malaria priorities through the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP).