Improving access to malaria diagnosis tools in the Indo-Pacific: ADVANCE

The aim of this project is to increase access to new diagnostic tools for malaria. These tools can help health workers detect and treat the disease. By improving access, we can reduce health inequities in the Indo-Pacific. We can accelerate the elimination of malaria in this region. 

Malaria is a disease that is spread to humans through parasites. The disease can cause mild to severe illness and death. There are several challenges to treating malaria in the Indo-Pacific. Notably, some parasites that carry malaria are difficult to detect.

One of these parasites, Plasmodium vivax, is of major interest. There is a lack of accurate tests that tell us whether someone is carrying this parasite in their body.  

According to the World malaria report 2024, several Indo-Pacific countries experienced a rise in malaria cases between 2015 and 2023. Our project therefore aims to make malaria diagnostic tools more available in this region.  

Our project is called Actionable Surveillance and Neglected Disease Control and Elimination (ADVANCE). ADVANCE is a partnership between 3 institutions: PATH, Burnet Institute and WEHI. As a Product Development and Access Partnership, we are supported by the Australian Government.

The Indo-Pacific is a way to think about Australia and its regional neighbours. The region ranges from the eastern Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. This includes Pacific and Southeast Asian countries, for example: Indonesia, Myanmar and Papua New Guinea.

Pictured above are photos from our project team. Click on each image for more details.

Methods

ADVANCE has 3 areas of focus:

• research and development
• clinical evaluation
• availability and access.

Central to each of these work areas is our commitment to gender equity in all program activities.

Research and development

We develop new products and tools that help diagnose and treat malaria.

We have a focus on Plasmodium vivax malaria, a common variant of the disease.

We are testing various rapid diagnostic tests, which are convenient and portable tools that can detect malaria. We are also working on new reagents. These substances create chemical reactions that give us more information about a person's health.

As part of this work, we are partnering with manufacturers and other institutions. By collaborating, we can better understand where resources and investments are most needed.

Clinical evaluation

We conduct multiple studies to evaluate how effective different diagnostic tools are. Burnet will work with partners in Laos and PNG to conduct these studies. Other ADVANCE program partners will be leading studies in Cambodia and Philippines.

Our findings can help inform policies across the region. They may also shape strategies to eliminate malaria. 

Availability and access

ADVANCE works directly with community, national and regional stakeholders. Our project examines how malaria diagnostic tests can integrate into existing health systems. We also evaluate cost, and how to 'scale up' the use of these tools.