Tuesday 26 April 2016

MCEC to host inaugural world congress to eradicate malaria

World Malaria Day was yesterday on Monday 25 April. Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) is excited to reveal an inaugural world congress is being established by international experts to reinvigorate the fight to eradicate malaria.

The congress, Eradicate Malaria 2018, will take place at MCEC from 18 to 22 February 2018.

Professor Alan Cowman FAA FRS, Congress Co-Chair, Head of the Division of Infection and Immunity at The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI), and one of the world’s leading malaria experts believes it is timely to hold a major congress to galvanise and better connect the entire spectrum of those involved in combating and eliminating malaria.

“Even with the burden of the disease decreasing in the past decade, malaria remains a major global health problem.

“While there has been tremendous progress, there are many obstacles that have slowed down the progress of eradicating malaria. This inaugural congress is essential to strengthen the efforts required to eliminate this terrible disease.

“The congress will be the first international event on the disease that aims to bring together the broad global community including implementers, scientists, funders, governments, policy makers and those directly affected by the disease,” Professor Cowman said.

Burnet Institute Director and CEO, and Club Melbourne Ambassador, Professor Brendan Crabb AC holds the Congress Co-Chair position alongside Professor Cowman.

As a Club Melbourne Ambassador, Professor Crabb was able to utilise the program and its expansive network to gain local support for the world congress.

“There are currently no conferences around the world that address malaria holistically from research at the molecular level, to transitional drug discoveries and the implementation in the field, to policy development, funding and advocacy. Ambitious as it is, we hope to achieve all that with Eradicate Malaria 2018,” Professor Crab added.

MCEC Chief Executive, Peter King said the venue was looking forward to delivering a world-class event and hopes this inaugural will help pave the way for many more.

“Eradicate Malaria 2018 is a terrific example of why creating inaugural events is important. Not only will it play a vital role in combatting this disease, but it will also help to generate lasting legacies for our industry and the city of Melbourne,” Mr King said.

Club Melbourne works with their Ambassadors to support the creation of new business events in Melbourne, in line with the Victorian State Government’s priority sectors.

“Fostering the creation of inaugural events is a key focus for our venue and one that we look forward to growing over the years to come,” Mr King added.

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