Media Release
Udupi, Oct 16: The MAHE Nature Conference on “Meeting the challenge of infectious diseases in a changing world” continued into its second day at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, bringing together global experts to discuss advances in the diagnosis, prevention, and vaccine development for infectious diseases.
The sessions began with Dr Michael Mina of the MIT Sloan School, who delivered a talk titled “A global immunological observatory to support infectious disease surveillance and immunisation programmes.” The talk explained how measuring immunity across populations could improve preparedness for infectious disease outbreaks. The central idea was that routine antibody measurements can reveal patterns of past exposure and immune protection that are difficult to discern from case counts alone.
Dr Nicaise Ndembi from the International Vaccine Institute (IVI)’s Africa Regional Office in Rwanda delivered a session titled “Strengthening Africa’s Vaccine Self-Reliance and Health Security”. He highlighted Africa’s dependence on imported vaccines and the African Union’s target to meet 60% of the continent’s vaccine needs through local production by 2040. He also introduced ACHIEVE Africa; an initiative aimed at strengthening vaccine research, clinical trials, regulatory systems, and local manufacturing to improve vaccine access and health security.
Dr Partha Basu from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), WHO, Lyon, France, delivered a session titled “Long-Term Efficacy of a Single Dose of HPV vaccines in preventing cervical cancer: Evidence from immunogenicity, persistent infection, and cervical precancer outcomes”. He highlighted evidence that a single dose of the HPV vaccine can provide durable and effective protection, emphasising its potential to strengthen cervical cancer prevention and expand vaccination coverage.
Arvinth Shanmugam from IIT Madras, India, delivered a short talk on “Modelling the Impact of Active HPV Testing Intervention on Cervical Cancer Burden in India.” He highlighted that the gradual progression from HPV infection to cervical cancer can be interrupted by timely interventions, while addressing the challenges posed by limited resources. The session emphasised the importance of developing state-specific models to ensure that preventive interventions reach the right individuals at the right time.
Dr Madhukar Pai of McGill University delivered a talk titled “Transforming Tuberculosis Diagnosis.” He highlighted the need for faster and more accessible tuberculosis (TB) diagnostic services, particularly in resource-limited settings where many cases remain undetected. Discussing the role of molecular and point-of-care tests alongside digital tools, he emphasised that diagnostic innovations must be affordable and integrated into routine healthcare. He also underscored the importance of stronger collaboration, sustained funding and health system support to ensure timely and accurate diagnosis for patients, irrespective of their geographical location.
The sessions concluded with session 3, titled “Diagnostic and Screening,” reinforcing the importance of translating scientific advances into accessible, affordable and effective public health interventions.
About Manipal Academy of Higher Education:
Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University. MAHE offers over 400 specialisations across the Health Sciences (HS), Management, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences (MLHS), and Technology & Science (T&S) streams through its constituent units at campuses in Manipal, Mangaluru, Bengaluru, Jamshedpur, and Dubai. With a remarkable track record in academics, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and significant contributions to research, MAHE has earned recognition and acclaim both nationally and internationally. In 2020, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, awarded MAHE the prestigious Institution of Eminence status. Currently ranked 3rd in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 rankings, MAHE is the preferred choice for students seeking a transformative learning experience and enriching campus life, as well as for national and multinational corporations seeking top talent.