Student Reflection: 2024 United to Beat Malaria Summit
Tayyaba Khan, an MPH student with an emphasis on global health, utilized LHC’s Health and Policy Conference Travel Scholarship in the spring semester. In this article, she reflects on her experience attending the United to Beat Summit.
Malaria is a life-threatening disease transmitted to humans through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. Despite being preventable and treatable, malaria remains a significant public health challenge. In 2022 alone, there were an estimated 249 million cases and 608,000 malaria-related deaths globally, with the vast majority occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. Tragically, a child dies from malaria every minute worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for effective interventions and increased funding.
I was honored to receive an invitation to the 2024 United to Beat Malaria Summit to advocate for increased funding for critical malaria intervention programs, such as the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative; CDC’s Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria; the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria; Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; and UNICEF. Having experienced malaria three times during my childhood in Pakistan, I strongly believe in the lifesaving impact of these programs and the importance of advocating for global health initiatives that not only save lives but also strengthen public health infrastructure in resource-limited settings both domestically and internationally. This was the first time Alabama had representation at this platform, providing a vital opportunity to raise awareness and engage with state representatives who may not have previously heard from constituents on this issue, which strengthened my passion and purpose to attend even more.
Though I have attended national conferences before, this was my first time attending a UN-organized gathering. I expected to hear from experts in the field, network with like-minded individuals, and identify additional resources to advocate for the fight against malaria. The Summit truly exceeded my expectations on content, speakers, and activities we participated in. Moreover, I must commend the conference organizers for their accommodations, support, and understanding as observing Ramadan impacted some attendees’ ability – including my own – to fully engage with conference activities.
Hill Day was my favorite experience in attending the Summit. This was my first time meeting members of Congress at the Capitol to advocate for a cause that I firmly believe in. It was a very empowering experience to see democracy in action and recognize the power our voices have. After a day and a half of insightful sessions, presentations, panels, and preparation, the opportunity to visit Capitol Hill and meet with our Congressional representatives and their staff was truly impactful. What I particularly liked about this experience was the genuine interest shown by our elected officials in hearing directly from their constituents. They welcomed our perspectives and were receptive to our advocacy efforts. We had the chance to engage in meaningful conversations, answer their questions, and present our specific asks, which centered on maintaining current funding levels for critical malaria intervention programs without any anticipated cuts. This was especially timely given the ongoing budget discussions for the next fiscal year. It was truly inspiring to directly contribute to the dialogue and advocate for sustained support for malaria initiatives at such a critical time.
The Hill Day experience not only strengthened my understanding of the policymaking process but also highlighted the importance of grassroots advocacy in influencing decision-makers and driving impactful change in global public health. The Summit helped me develop skills for effectively engaging with members of Congress, including how to communicate clearly, stay focused, and express our requests concisely within a limited timeframe during our interactions on Capitol Hill. I also learned more about the implications of malaria on health outcomes and economy, both locally and globally, which deepened my understanding and passion for the fight against malaria. I was also able to network with other like-minded individuals, especially from Alabama and Mississippi, as we were in the same group. Additionally, representing Alabama on a national platform renewed the sense of commitment in me to work for this cause at UAB and across the state.
I would recommend this event to anyone who is passionate about the fight against malaria and is looking for a platform and resources to make a difference in this area. These programs have saved over 11 million lives in the past two decades. In addition, they help build more stable and resilient economies and workforces, they lead to fewer missed school and workdays, and they empower local health systems to respond to infectious disease outbreaks. Coming together to support this cause, raise our voices, and advocate for increased support is not only empowering but also incredibly impactful. To prepare for this event, I recommend submitting the application on time and planning travel well in advance to avoid availability issues and price hikes. Additionally, conducting research on your members of Congress will allow you to tailor your conversations accordingly and prepare specific talking points ahead of time. Approach these discussions with confidence, respect, clarity about your requests, and authenticity. Bringing business cards is also beneficial, as you’ll have the opportunity to network with inspiring individuals throughout the summit. Overall, be prepared to engage, connect, and advocate passionately for this important cause—it’s an experience that will leave a lasting impact on both you and the fight against malaria.
