The Chief Executive Officer of the Save Africa From Malaria Infections (SAFMI) Foundation, Dr. Artem Volchenko, has urged young entrepreneurs to view malaria not just as a crisis but as an opportunity to drive innovation.
Dr. Volchenko delivered this message during a public lecture held at the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), University of Sierra Leone, on Friday, November 15, 2024.
The event was organized in collaboration with the Anti-Glossophobia Academy under the theme: “The Economic Commercialization of Malaria Treatment in the 21st Century.”
In his opening remarks, the IPAM’s Students Union President, Mr. Mohamed S. Bangura lauded SAFMI Foundation for choosing IPAM. He encouraged students to focus on the lecture’s insights, noting that IPAM, as a hub for nurturing young entrepreneurs, is well-placed to foster innovative solutions to pressing societal issues like malaria.
Alhaji Dauda Bangura, SAFMI Foundation’s Country Representative for Sierra Leone and a lecturer at IPAM, highlighted SAFMI’s innovative approach, particularly the use of the Gambusia fish, which feed on mosquito larvae and effectively reduce mosquito populations. This intervention, he explained, has brought measurable relief in areas where the fish have been introduced.
Dr. Volchenko’s keynote lecture focused on transforming healthcare challenges, like malaria, into economic opportunities. He emphasized the economic toll of malaria, which not only claims lives but disrupts key sectors such as agriculture, education, healthcare, and tourism, thereby hampering foreign investments. The CEO noted that while countries spend significant resources combating malaria, innovative entrepreneurship can provide complementary solutions.
Dr. Volchenko encouraged students to develop solutions that address malaria through partnerships with government and NGOs, leveraging funding opportunities to create impactful social enterprises. He shared success stories of entrepreneurs using technology to deliver healthcare solutions in underserved areas, urging students to reframe malaria as a chance to innovate and drive societal progress.
“You should see malaria not as a crisis but as an opportunity to innovate,” he told the packed audience, emphasizing the importance of creating lasting impacts for Sierra Leone and future generations.
Dr. Prisca Ndu from SAFMI Foundation’s Nigeria Chapter, encouraged students to recognize social problems as opportunities for both impact and wealth creation. She described the event as an empowerment initiative aimed at giving back to Sierra Leone and inspiring the next generation of change-makers.
This impactful lecture left students energized to explore how entrepreneurship can contribute to solving one of Africa’s most pressing health challenges while fostering economic growth.
