Jessica Uno is winner of the World Briefing: Telling the Malaria Contest co-sponsored by Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation and Malaria No More. Her winning essay earned her a trip to cover the MIM Pan-African Malaria Conference in Kenya and report back on the latest in the global effort to end malaria.

I spoke with Silvio Gabriel, Executive Vice President and Head of the Malaria Initiatives at Novartis, about the company’s key role in the malaria fight and the numerous challenges of sustaining non-profit efforts at a for-profit company.

As Mr. Gabriel sees it, anybody can fund malaria control efforts. However, companies like Novartis –with deep medical experience, expertise in training and education programs and knowledge of effectively distributing treatments– have a responsibility to provide patients with the prevention and treatment tools they need to fight malaria. This can help affect the most change.

Reducing the malaria burden is not simply a matter of big money, but of big IMPACT, especially sustainable impact. By raising awareness of Novartis’ Malaria Initiatives program, for example, the company is influencing others to follow their strong example of a public-private model. Such a model encourages other companies to make philanthropic, compassionate work a routine part of corporate activities. Corporate social responsibility programs also pave the way for powerful partnerships, such as that between Novartis and Malaria No More, which further reinforce the positive feedback loop of sustainable impact.

When I asked Mr. Gabriel about his motivations to push the Malaria Initiatives program forward, even in the most challenging situations, he offered encouraging advice: be realistic yet optimistic. He stated that he’s most inspired by the patients and their needs.  It’s the classic theory of “focusing on the solution rather than the problem,” he said. And Mr. Gabriel has proven that this mindset can help reduce suffering related to malaria. “Think of how many lives we can save, not how many people are dying,” concluded Mr. Gabriel. “That’s the way to make a sustainable impact in fighting malaria.”

Jessica’s trip to Kenya was supported by Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation and Malaria No More.

Tags: Guest Post, Jessica Uno, Silvio Gabriel, World Briefing

Tags: Guest Post, Jessica Uno, Silvio Gabriel, World Briefing
Categories:Jessica Uno: World Briefing Report, Uncategorized