Research centre engages control programme to tackle malaria with CANVeCT Project.

The Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, was signed by the Executive Director of CRID, Prof Charles Wondji, and the Permanent Secretary of NMCP, Dr Zeh Meka.

Funded by UNITAID with an investment of US $18 million, about FCFA 10.98 billion, CANVeCT aims to generate robust evidence to support the adoption of spatial repellents as a novel vector control tool against malaria. 

Spatial repellents are small devices that release active ingredients into the air, deterring mosquitoes from entering treated spaces and preventing them from locating and biting human hosts. 

These devices offer protection when individuals are not under insecticide-treated nets, providing an additional layer of defense against malaria transmission.

According to information made public by CRID, the collaboration with NMCP is designed to align with national malaria programmatic priorities, ensuring adherence to national regulations and international standards, including WHO Good Clinical and Laboratory Practices, GCLP, UNITAID guidelines, and ethical protocols for human subject protection.

“This agreement marks a significant milestone in strengthening collaboration between the two institutions and advancing the fight against malaria in Cameroon,” CRID noted.

As part of the agreement, the NMCP will support the implementation of a randomised controlled trial of spatial repellents in selected communities, as well as a household trial in a refugee camp setting. 

These trials aim to evaluate the effectiveness of spatial repellents in reducing malaria transmission in diverse settings, including areas with high malaria transmission and elevated insecticide resistance.

The CANVeCT project also involves collaboration with the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, LSTM, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, LSHTM. 

The project will assess the feasibility and impact of spatial repellents in humanitarian settings, addressing potential challenges and identifying barriers to entry and scale-up of affordable products.

Executive Director at UNITAID, Dr Philippe Duneton, highlighted the significance of the project.

“Spatial repellents have the potential to accelerate malaria elimination efforts. We are glad to have been awarded this project by UNITAID and look forward to generating the evidence needed for a full recommendation by WHO, which will help catalyse their adoption for malaria control,” Dr Duneton said.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3575 of Thursday September 25, 2025