The Meningitis Research Foundation
(MRF) acknowledged World Immunization Week by reporting progress in the hands-on
training of health care workers in the nation of Malawi and partnerships with global
and U.S. initiatives.
Having announced collaboration with the Global Meningococcal
Initiative (GMI) on Sunday — World Meningitis Day — MRF also recently disclosed additional
support from mPowering Frontline Health Workers, a program headquartered in
Washington, D.C. which belongs to the USAID Global Development Alliance.
Altogether, the humanitarian agencies work to reduce maternal-fetal
deaths caused by meningitis and/or septicemia. Mobile technology is playing an
increasingly important role in training and continuing professional development
for on-the-ground workers in affected nations.
MRF also reported that CEO Vinny Smith attended a London conference
in February focused on post-Ebola health strategies alongside key ministry
spokespersons from Liberia, Guinea, Uganda, Mali, Rwanda, Ghana, Senegal and
Malawi.
Private sector representatives at the event included GSK,
Intrahealth, Orange and Medic Mobile. Charities consisted of World Vision, BBC
Media Action and the International Rescue Committee. Representatives from USAID,
the Department for International Development and the Bill and Melinda
Gates Foundation were also in attendance.
MRF maintains operations via its offices located in Belfast,
Bristol, Dublin, Edinburgh and Blantyre, the capital of Malawi.
