The First Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) of Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS): “Project for the Sustainable Control of Zoonotic Malaria through an Integrated Approach”

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) will hold the first Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) of Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS), ‘Project for the Sustainable Control of Zoonotic Malaria through an Integrated Approach’ on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at Hilton Kota Kinabalu.

From Malaysia, UMS, the Ministry of Higher Education, the Sabah State Health Department, the Sabah Wildlife Department, and others are scheduled to participate. From Japan, participants will include Nagasaki University, Ehime University, the Consular Office in Kota Kinabalu, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) and JICA.

At this meeting, discussions will focus on the future activity plans of the project, and formal agreement will be sought.

The background, objectives, and overview of the project are as follows:

(Background and Objectives)

In Malaysia, approximately 3,000 people are infected with simian malaria each year, posing a significant public health concern. Although human-to-human transmission has not yet been reported, if it were to occur, there is a risk of global spread, making its prevention an urgent priority.

This research project aims to develop technologies and strategies to significantly reduce the number of simian malaria cases in Sabah, Malaysia. Specifically, the project will focus on:

A methodology for assessing the risk of human infection with zoonotic malaria parasites is developed;

Novel diagnostic methods for Pk malaria are developed;

A novel methodology of controlling malaria vector mosquitoes (larvae) using drones is developed;

A zoonotic malaria risk education programme is developed;

A One Health implementation system is strengthened through collaboration between organisations in the human, animal and environmental sectors


(Overview of Project)

1. Country: Malaysia

2. Project Title: Project for the Sustainable Control of Zoonotic Malaria through an Integrated Approach


3. Implementation Period: September 2025 – September 2030 (total of 60 months)


4. Target Area: Sabah State, Malaysia


5. Partner Institutions in Japan: Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University (Lead research institution), Ehime University, Tokyo Women’s Medical University


6. Counterpart Implementing Institution: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)


7. Project Objective:

This project aims to develop a methodology for the sustainable control of zoonotic malaria through an integrated One Health approach in Sabah, Malaysia. The initiative will focus on developing a methodology for assessing the risk of human infection with zoonotic malaria parasites by monitoring the prevalence of zoonotic malaria parasites in monkeys, mosquitoes and humans, and by molecular biological analysis of malaria parasite species infecting all three hosts; developing novel diagnostic methods; developing a novel methodology of controlling malaria vector mosquitoes using drones; designing a zoonotic malaria risk education programme; and strengthening One Health implementation system. Through these efforts, the project seeks to establish comprehensive strategies for controlling zoonotic malaria and contribute to preventing its global spread.

For further information, please contact:


JICA Expert (Project Coordinator)
Mr. EGAWA Zenjiro
e mail: z.egawa0904@gmail.com