Ifakara Masterclass Edition 22- Fixed, Few & Findable: A MasterClass with Profs. Hmooda Kafy, Peter Dambach, Peter Dechant & Silas Majambere

Fixed, Few & Findable

The 22nd edition of the masterclass hosted by Fredros Okumu from Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) and Sheila Ogoma from Clinton Health Access Initiative(CHAI) features Profs. Hmooda Kafy, Peter Dambach, Peter Dechant & Silas Majambere.

The discourse begins with a historical overview of Larval Source Management (LSM) in malaria control, elaborating on the role LSM can play alongside other control measures.

It addresses the debate surrounding the World Health Organization’s (WHO) classification of LSM as merely a supplementary measure. While Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) and Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) serve as the backbone of vector control due to their rapid scalability across diverse ecological settings, LSM offers a distinct advantage: unlike LLINs and IRS—which target adult mosquitoes—LSM targets the immature aquatic stages, directly reducing overall adult vector density. Even if complete elimination or treatment of all breeding sites is unfeasible—especially in most rural sub-Saharan African settings—effective LSM can significantly lower the annual entomological inoculation rate (infective bites per person per year), thereby curbing malaria transmission. The discussion further examines the potential of LSM in rural areas and the involvement of local communities, focusing specifically on community engagement models: should LSM campaigns be vertical, horizontal, or hybrid? Finally, the discussion concludes with an emphasis on leadership and multi-sectoral cooperation for vector control across malaria-endemic countries.