IMPM-Rx Malaria Medicines for All
Malaria is responsible for 1 million deaths globally each year. With already weak health systems, sub-Saharan Africa shoulders 90% of the global burden of this deadly, yet easily treatable disease. In Cameroon, there is a 67% resistance rate to traditional malaria treatments, and 100,000 people die from the disease each year, creating an overwhelming need for new treatment options. Currently, Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) are the only proven, effective way to treat resistant strains of malaria. The Capstone team worked to create a viable business plan for the Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plant Studies (IMPM) to produce and distribute a cutting-edge, effective and affordable ACT home-treatment kit in Cameroon, attacking the problem head-on. The team is also identifying possible partnerships to facilitate collaboration between decision makers and professionals in the health sector and ensure that the political will for the project is sustained.