Audit of the Zanzibar malaria control project, project no. 621-0163

Audit covers the period 9/81-11/84. Some progress has been made. The Zanzibar Ministry of Health (MOH) has begun developing an infrastructure in the Malaria Control Unit, spraying began in the southern district of Unguja in 4/84, and plans are underway to expand spraying to Pemba Island. The project also has begun working with community leaders on a public education campaign. On the negative side, bad checks issued by the Zanzibar Ministry of Finance caused discrepancies between A.I.D. and Government of Zanzibar (GOZ) loan payment records; as a result, the loan is in default. It is recommended that MOH financial reports and MOH contractor progress reports be submitted to USAID/Tanzania. Secondly, progress cannot be measured due a vague project purpose and lack of project benchmarks and baseline data. It is recommended that a MOH operational plan and yearly workplans be finalized in order to outline project activities and provide benchmarks for evaluations. Thirdly, a project amendment prepared after an 11/83 evaluation found the project too ambitious has never been finalized. This amendment should be finalized and $4.3 million in loan funds deobligated. Finally, the Malaria Control Unit needs to improve monitoring of vehicle use/maintenance and commodity clearance from customs. Late receipt of shipping documents has caused commodities to remain in port and incur warehouse charges.