Defeat Malaria Quarterly Performance Report FY 2021 Quarter 1

The project has four core objectives: achieving and maintaining universal coverage of at-risk populations with proven vector control and case management interventions, strengthening the malaria surveillance system, enhancing technical and operational capacity of the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) and other health service providers, and promoting the involvement of communities, private healthcare providers, private companies, and state-owned enterprises in malaria control and elimination initiatives. To achieve Objective 1, the project ensured the distribution of long-lasting insecticide nets (LLINs), diagnostics, and quality-assured medicines to beneficiary populations, health services, and collaborating Village Malaria Workers (VMWs) in targeted areas. The project also optimized coverage and promoted the use of proven vector control interventions, ensured early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of all clinical malaria cases, strengthened and expanded the network of VMWs, and conducted operational research to pilot promising new tools and approaches to reduce malaria transmission. In terms of testing and case finding, 65,329 people were tested for malaria, of whom 812 were positive cases. Diagnostic and treatment commodities, including 61,425 rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and 1,683 artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), were distributed to Defeat Malaria storage sites to ensure continuous and on-time delivery of malaria healthcare services. Additionally, 3,349 LLINs were distributed to villages, worksites, and women attending antenatal care clinics. The project also made significant progress in strengthening the malaria surveillance system, including improving data management capacity at all levels of the health system, from village to central level, and supporting the implementation and regular updating of village-based malaria stratification. Furthermore, the project supported the initiation of an elimination strategy for target elimination areas, piloted a system for rapid detection and notification of malaria cases, case and contact investigations, and prompt deployment of appropriate response interventions in three townships in Southern Rakhine State. In terms of capacity building, 205 health workers received training on malaria diagnostics and case management, and 204 health workers received training on Integrated Community Malaria Volunteers. The project also strengthened the surveillance system by supporting the NMCP on tools, equipment, telecommunication costs, capacity building, and human resource development. The project promoted the involvement of communities, private healthcare providers, private companies, and state-owned enterprises in malaria control and elimination initiatives through various activities, including building the organizational and technical capacity of universities related to health, community-based organizations, and EHOs, strengthening BCC and community mobilization activities, and promoting engagement of private companies and state-owned enterprises in malaria control and elimination activities through Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. Overall, the Defeat Malaria project made significant progress in reducing the malaria burden and controlling artemisinin-resistant malaria in targeted areas of Myanmar during the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2021.