About the Event

Globally, 1 in 3 pregnant women suffer from malaria in moderate to high transmission countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria in pregnancy, or MiP, is a leading cause of maternal anemia and malaria in the fetus. It is also responsible for approximately 10,000 maternal deaths and 100,000 newborn deaths yearly.

Intermittent preventive treatment, or IPTp, started as early as possible in the second trimester and taken once each month at least three times during pregnancy, can save the lives of both expectant mothers and their unborn children from malaria, together with sleeping under a bed net and effective treatment of malaria.

In 2022, as part of efforts to increase access to IPTp for pregnant women, the malaria in pregnancy working group of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria initiated the Speed Up Scale Up IPTp campaign. Over 1,000 people signed a letter under the umbrella of the campaign from some 300 organizations in 43 countries in Africa, calling on decision makers to support access to all eligible pregnant women with the malaria preventive treatment they need. A book with the signatures was handed over to the African Leaders Malaria Alliance at a media briefing and malaria awards ceremony at the 2023 African Union Summit.

Along the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York, this event hosted by Devex and sponsored and convened by RBM Partnership To End Malaria will invite African First Ladies to provide leadership to the continuation of the campaign and join as champions the effort to scale up access and uptake of antenatal care services and IPTp in affected countries in Africa.

Join us in New York as we pave the pathway forward toward protecting pregnant women against malaria.

The event will be followed by a networking drinks for in-person attendees where they can connect with government officials, NGOs and other industry experts.