The Gambia has received international recognition for pioneering malaria research that helped transform child-health protection across Africa and other malaria-endemic regions.

The Gambia has been honoured with the 2026 Edinburgh Prize for Global Health Impact, recognising the contribution of the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (MRCG) and the Ministry of Health to the global fight against malaria.

The award, announced on 2 November 2026, celebrates landmark research published in The Lancet in 1991. The research demonstrated that insecticide-treated mosquito nets could reduce deaths among children under five by 63%, while malaria-specific deaths fell by 70%.

The findings helped establish insecticide-treated nets as a major malaria-prevention tool and influenced public-health strategies in countries facing high malaria burdens.

The award was received by Health Minister Dr Ahmadou Samateh and Professor Umberto D’Alessandro of MRC Unit The Gambia.

The recognition highlights the importance of Gambian medical research, international scientific partnerships and sustained investment in malaria prevention. Health researchers say the collaboration between MRCG and national health authorities continues to support efforts to reduce preventable deaths and strengthen disease-control programmes.

For The Gambia, the award is not only an international achievement but also a reminder of how locally conducted research can contribute to saving lives worldwide.