'I want to help eliminate malaria for the whole world'
Energised by China’s recent malaria eradication, researcher Lina Wu is determined to end the suffering inflicted by malaria.
Lina Wu is a PhD researcher at Kings College London, under the supervision of Dr Bahijja Raimi-Abraham and Dr Driton Vllasaliu. Lina is part of the Raimi- Abraham Group- an interdisciplinary Research Lab focussed on solving pharmaceutical challenges in infectious diseases including malaria:
"My work helps to end malaria by developing in vitro models for the screening of new anti-malarial drugs," Lina explains.
Innovation and impressive new tools are offering fresh hope in the fight against malaria. We’re looking at the most impressive pipeline of transformative tools to fight malaria yet, including new vaccines, next-generation nets, rapid testing and innovative treatments.
Lina’s research at The Raimi-Abraham group is helping to ensure we have the quality tools – particularly anti-malarial drugs – to ensure no more lives are lost to this preventable and treatable disease.
'A malaria free world is a goal for us, and we can reach that goal in our lifetime.'
Thanks to global efforts, since 2000 we have seen 10.6 million lives saved and 1.7 billion cases prevented. In 2021, China was certified malaria-free, as was El Salvador – an exciting win for the global malaria fight.
Lina says: "The most exciting news is that we have two new countries that have eliminated malaria… I got involved in the malaria fight because China has now eliminated malaria. But there are still people suffering from this disease, so I want to help eliminate malaria for the whole world."
However, malaria is fighting back and progress to reach zero malaria is at risk. In 2020 malaria cases and deaths rose to the highest level in nearly a decade with a total of 627,000 lives lost.
We have the power to end malaria – now, we need investment and commitment to ensure the incredible tools at our disposal get to where they’re needed most. Lina has joined the Draw The Line campaign in a call for more action, more funding and more political will from world leaders to invest in and deliver these tools to achieve zero malaria within a generation.
"To end malaria, we need to make great efforts… we need all the people to fight together against this disease," says Lina, "a malaria free world is a goal for us, and we can reach that goal in our lifetime."
To end malaria, we need to bring together science, funding, community, bold vision and leadership. Join the Zero Malaria movement today.
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