ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — The Horn of Africa Malaria Molecular Surveillance (HAMMS) project has announced major milestones in the regional effort to eliminate malaria. By deploying cutting-edge molecular and genomic surveillance tools, the initiative is successfully identifying and addressing the biological threats that have previously hindered malaria control and elimination in the Horn of Africa.
Addressing a Triple Threat:
Malaria control in the region has reached a critical juncture mainly due to three emerging challenges that the HAMMS project is specifically designed to tackle:
- Diagnostic Evasion: Parasites are evolving through gene deletions, allowing them to remain “invisible” to conventional Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs).
- Biological Resistance: A rising trend of parasite resistance to frontline anti-malarial drugs and mosquito resistance to traditional insecticides.
- Invasive Species: The rapid expansion of Anopheles stephensi, an invasive mosquito species from Asia, which is aggressively driving transmission mainly in urban environments.
Project Milestones and Strategic Impact
Since launching in November 2023, HAMMS has operated across Ethiopia, Sudan, and Djibouti, delivering high-impact results that bridge the gap between laboratory and public policy through:
- Evidence-Based Policy Reform: In Sudan, HAMMS research confirmed that specific diagnostic tools were losing effectiveness. This discovery led the Sudanese Ministry of Health to issue a revised national diagnostic guideline in November 2025.
- Massive Data Generation: To date, more than 14,000 samples have been collected and analyzed. This data is shared in real-time with member states’ health institutions to enable rapid, informed decision-making.
- Building Scientific Sovereignty: The project has trained over 60 researchers in advanced data analysis and bioinformatics, while currently sponsoring 15 Master’s and PhD candidates to ensure long-term regional expertise.
H.E. Dr. Dereje Duguma, State Minister of Health, emphasized that collaborative projects such as the HAMMS project have significantly contributions and are the cornerstone in supporting Ethiopia’s health policy. He pledged that the project’s findings would continue to serve as the primary roadmap for shaping national strategies and implementing high-level policy shifts.
Prof. Afework Kassu, Director General of the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), highlighted the power of regional solidarity: “Today is a special day as we reflect on our progress. Had it not been for the focused, collaborative endeavors of our consortium partners and researchers, we could not have reached this successful stage in Ethiopia and the wider region.”
Prof. Fitsum Girma, lead scientist at AHRI and principal investigator (PI) of the project, said “The HAMMS project demonstrates the power of regional collaboration in generating evidence that directly informs policy and strengthens malaria control efforts. The consortium’s achievements across Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Sudan highlight the value of shared expertise and national ownership. By expanding to include South Sudan and Somalia, HAMMS reinforces regional collaboration in the horn positioning the region to deliver stronger, coordinated, and sustainable progress toward malaria elimination”.
Supported by the Gates Foundation and led by AHRI, the HAMMS project is slated to run until December 2028. Demonstrating its growing regional importance, the project has recently expanded its scope to include South Sudan and Somalia, while providing vital technical assistance to Yemen.
