On July 4, 2025, the Cameroon National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) delegation, led by Dr. Zeh Meka, Permanent Secretary, visited CRID. The tour aimed to explore CRID’s technical capabilities and foster collaboration in the fight against malaria.
Family picture
The visitors were welcomed by CRID’s Executive Director Prof. Charles Wondji and a batch of researchers. They were guided firstly through the insectary, where they observed susceptibility testing, bio-efficacy testing of insecticide-treated nets, and mosquito rearing facilities. In the laboratory, they reviewed state-of-the-art equipment, including the bCUBE, a futuristic device for malaria data collection that enables real-time data collection to rapidly inform decision-makers. They also examined the NovaSeq 6000 and ABI 3500XL Genetic Analyzer, CRID’s latest acquisitions under the African Centre for Vector Genomics (AVecGen) project.
The NMCP team gained insight into CRID’s technical capabilities, including quality control of insecticidal-treated nets, malaria surveillance activities, and new vector control intervention tools like spatial repellents. They also learned about ongoing projects, such as the Enhancing Malaria Epidemiology Research through Genomics & Translational Systems biology (EMERGENTS-ICEMR) project and gene drive initiative. Dr. Zeh Meka was impressed by CRID’s transgenic flies’ library and Sanger sequencing platform, now open to the public.
Dr Armel Tedjou presenting the bCUBE
The National Malaria Control Programme delegation was composed of: Dr. Messe Fouda Prosper – Head of Monitoring and Evaluation Section; Dr. Medou Hortense – Head of Training Section; Mrs. Dohtsad Njebay Jeannette – Head of Partnership Unit; Mrs. Ngadeu Nelly – Head of Research Unit; Mr. Théophile – Officer, Care Management Section; and Mrs. Tamen Thérèse – Officer, Care Management Section. This visit comes two months after a CRID delegation went to the PNLP for an introductory meeting with the new Permanent Secretary. It is a clear reflection of the cordial relationship between the two institutions and underscores their shared commitment to working together towards the eradication of malaria in Cameroon.
