Symposium on Malaria in Burundi 2026
About the Symposium
Burundi has deployed a comprehensive malaria control package—prevention, diagnosis, effective treatment, and surveillance—supported by Government and partners. Yet malaria transmission persists and periodic rebounds occur. The critical challenge is increasingly one of optimisation: improving coverage, quality, targeting, timing, equity, and data-to-action performance so that existing tools deliver maximum impact.
This symposium will bring together all stakeholders conducting malaria research in Burundi and partners supporting the Integrated Malaria Control Program to jointly examine (1) the challenges surrounding malaria transmission dynamics in Burundi and (2) why full package efforts may not be achieving full impact, and to co-produce a practical research and optimisation agenda.
Overall Goal
To engage malaria researchers in Burundi, PNILP implementers, and partners to identify how to optimise existing malaria interventions and to prioritise research that directly guides intervention design, targeting, and performance, recognising that Burundi has the essential tools for effective malaria control.
Objectives
- Connect the malaria research and implementation ecosystem in Burundi (UB, INSP, PNILP, provinces/districts, partners).
- Present key challenges surrounding malaria transmission dynamics, including heterogeneity, hotspots, and emerging threats.
- Take stock of the malaria intervention package and analyse why impact may be suboptimal despite major Government and partner efforts.
- Share evidence from research and routine program data on prevention, case management, surveillance, and community platforms.
- Identify optimisation opportunities for intervention coverage, quality, timing, equity, and targeting (stratification).
- Define and rank a national malaria research agenda (2026–2029) aligned with PNILP priorities.
- Strengthen collaboration mechanisms for data sharing, joint analyses, rapid evidence products, mentorship, and grant development.
- Produce actionable outputs endorsed by UB, INSP, PNILP, and partners.
Who Should Attend
This symposium is intended for:
- Researchers: faculty, doctoral and postgraduate students, and research institutions working on malaria in Burundi
- PNILP and Ministry of Health technical teams
- Provincial and district health management teams; facility leaders; community health worker supervisors
- Technical agencies and implementing partners supporting malaria prevention, case management, surveillance, and community systems
- Donors/funders and stakeholders supporting health systems and malaria control
Thematic Tracks
Track 1: Transmission Dynamics, Epidemiology
- Hotspots and heterogeneity
- Seasonality
- Burden estimation
- Outbreak investigation
Track 2: Vector Control & Entomology
- LLIN/IRS effectiveness
- Insecticide resistance monitoring
- Vector ecology and behaviour
Track 3: Case Management & Quality
- Diagnostics quality
- Treatment adherence and outcomes
- Severe malaria referral
Track 4: Surveillance & Data Systems
- DHIS2 and data quality
- Early warning and response
- Modelling for decisions
Track 5: Implementation Science
- CHW platforms
- Behaviour and acceptability
- Equity barriers
Programme at a Glance
Day 1 — 2 June 2026
Focus: Transmission dynamics and the "full package" performance gap
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 08:30 - 09:30 | Opening ceremony |
| 09:30 - 10:30 | Keynote: From Full Package to Full Impact |
| 11:00 - 12:30 | Plenary Session 1: Challenges surrounding malaria transmission dynamics in Burundi |
| 14:00 - 15:30 | Plenary Session 2: Existing intervention package and why impact may be suboptimal despite efforts |
| 16:00 - 17:30 | Parallel sessions (Track 1 & Track 2) |
| 17:30 - 19:00 | Poster session and networking |
Day 2 — 3 June 2026
Focus: Optimisation solutions, research priorities, and a collaboration roadmap
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 08:30 - 09:30 | Keynote: Surveillance as an intervention—making data actionable |
| 09:30 - 11:00 | Parallel sessions (Track 3, Track 4, Track 5) |
| 11:30 - 13:00 | Working groups: Research agenda, optimisation recommendations, collaboration roadmap |
| 14:30 - 16:00 | Plenary: Working group reports and discussion |
| 16:00 - 17:00 | Closing: endorsement of communiqué and next steps |
Abstract Submission
Abstract Submission Guidelines
Abstract Submission Deadline: 15 May 2026
Notification of Acceptance: 22 May 2026
Abstract Categories
- Transmission dynamics, epidemiology, stratification
- Vector control, entomology, resistance monitoring
- Case management, diagnostics, treatment outcomes, severe malaria
- Surveillance, DHIS2, data quality, modelling/analytics
- Implementation science, community systems, equity, behaviour change
- Health systems and supply chain performance relevant to malaria
Abstract Format
Abstracts should include:
- Title
- Authors and affiliations
- Background
- Methods
- Results
- Conclusions and program relevance (explicit)
- Keywords (3–5)
Important Dates
Registration
Registration is open to researchers, implementers, students, and partners.
Registration Categories
- Student: Undergraduate and postgraduate students
- Academic: Faculty and researchers from academic institutions
- Government: Ministry of Health and PNILP staff
- Partner: Implementing and technical partners
- Other: Other stakeholders and interested parties
Fee information: Free registration for all participants
Limited travel support may be available for selected provincial participants and students, subject to resources.
Partners
The symposium is designed to strengthen alignment between evidence generation and implementation. We will engage PNILP's partner ecosystem, including:
Expected Outputs
- Symposium communiqué endorsed by UB–INSP–PNILP and partners
- Burundi Malaria Research Agenda (2026–2029), prioritised and ranked
- Intervention Optimisation Brief (practical recommendations using existing tools)
- Transmission Dynamics Synthesis Note (1–2 pages)
- Abstract book/proceedings (digital)
- Collaboration and data roadmap for rapid evidence-to-action mechanisms
- Capacity-building plan for doctoral and early-career researchers
Committees
- Steering Committee: UB Doctoral School, INSP, PNILP, and key partners
- Scientific Committee: abstracts, programme design, session quality assurance
- Logistics Committee: venue, registration, travel, AV/IT
- Communications Committee: media, proceedings, policy briefs
- Finance Committee: budget, sponsorship, reporting
(Committee member names and roles to be published here.)
Venue and Travel
Venue
University of Burundi, Bujumbura
Doctoral School Building, Main Campus
Accommodation
Recommended hotels near the University of Burundi will be listed closer to the event date.
Visa and entry requirements: Participants should consult official Government guidance for travel documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the symposium in-person?
Yes, it is planned as an in-person event; hybrid streaming may be added subject to resources.
Who can submit an abstract?
Researchers, students, implementers, and partners with malaria-related work in Burundi (or directly relevant to Burundi).
Will there be certificates?
Yes, certificates of participation will be provided.
Will proceedings be published?
Yes, an abstract book and a short set of policy-ready outputs will be produced.
Contact Information
General enquiries: symposium@ub.edu.bi
Abstract submissions: abstracts@ub.edu.bi
Registration enquiries: registration@ub.edu.bi
Doctoral School, University of Burundi
Email: david.niyukuri@ub.edu.bi
Venue: University of Burundi, Bujumbura