The Malaria TAG will meet regularly (once a year) for two to three days. The frequency and duration of meetings may be adjusted as necessary. The Malaria TAG recommendations are taken by consensus. In the exceptional situation that a consensus on a particular issue cannot be reached, the Chairperson shall report the majority and minority view. It is the also the Chairperson’s responsibility to ensure there is clarity for Malaria TAG members on what exactly is being decided.
Representatives of USAID; the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; relevant UN agencies; AMI/RAVREDA; EMMIE; HaMEC; Mesoamerican Initiative; and others may be invited to participate as observers in Malaria TAG meetings and deliberations. Regional staff members of PAHO and designated WHO counterparts will attend as members of the Secretariat. In addition, up to three National Malaria Control Program managers from the Region are invited as resource persons to observe and participate in the meetings.
PAHO / AMRO may also invite other observers to the Malaria TAG meetings, including representatives from other international partners, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international professional organizations, technical agencies, and donor organizations. Additional experts and Technical Resource Persons, may also be invited to meetings, as appropriate, to further contribute to specific agenda items. (Note: Rules on observership are further explained on Annex 3).
The Malaria TAG will work with PAHO/AMRO to develop work priorities and meeting agendas, with input from the countries. The Malaria TAG will be kept informed by PAHO/AMRO of the progress in the implementation of strategies and the attainment of objectives at country and regional level. PAHO/AMRO, together with the Malaria TAG Chairperson, will determine which issues and information should be brought to the attention of the Malaria TAG. In order to seek broader input and allow for the exchange of information and views and to ensure transparency and inclusivity, the majority of discussions will occur in plenary with the observers and invited technical resource persons. However, the actual deliberations of and development of recommendation by the Malaria TAG will take place in a closed session in order to protect the integrity and independence of the committee from pressure and undue influence. Transparency will still be ensured however, as minutes approved by PAHO/AMRO, will be made available and circulated to all partners and relevant stakeholders. Approved documents, minutes and recommendations will be archived and will be publicly available.
In addition to attendance of meetings, active participation will be expected from all Malaria TAG members throughout the year, including participation in ad hoc committee meetings, video and teleconferences, as well as interactions via e-mail. Review of documents may also be solicited.
Malaria TAG members will not be remunerated for their participation in Malaria TAG. However, reasonable expenses, such as travel expenses incurred by attendance at Malaria or related meetings, will be compensated by PAHO /WHO in accordance with WHO applicable rules and policies.
The Malaria TAG and the TAG’s Secretariat reports to the PAHO Regional Director (or designee) and will debrief the PAHO Regional Director (or designee), the Communicable Disease and Health Analysis (CHA) Director, and the Chief of the Neglected, Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases (VT) Unit following each Malaria TAG meeting.
