Inform Asia: USAID’s Health Research Program; Associate Award 2: Year 6, Semiannual Report, October 1, 2020–March 31, 2021

The program's primary objective is to support the development of effective strategies and tools for implementation and scale-up of malaria elimination efforts. The program's activities are guided by three key interventions: IR 1, which focuses on strengthening malaria surveillance systems; IR 2, which evaluates strategies and tools for implementation and scale-up of malaria elimination; and IR 3, which strengthens the capacity of national malaria programs to generate, analyze, and use surveillance data. These interventions are designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of malaria surveillance systems, enhance the capacity of national malaria programs, and promote the adoption of evidence-based practices. The program's progress is monitored through a set of indicators, including the percentage of reporting units that submit data to the Health Information System (HIS) on time, the percentage of reported malaria cases with complete information, and the number of new or improved strategies or tools developed with technical assistance from Inform Asia. The program's performance is also evaluated through regular monitoring and evaluation activities, which provide insights into the effectiveness of the program's interventions and identify areas for improvement. The program's management structure includes a Chief of Party, who is responsible for overseeing the program's overall direction and implementation. The program also has a team of technical experts, including scientists and researchers, who provide technical assistance and support to national malaria programs. The program's budget and pipeline are managed through a cooperative agreement with USAID, which provides funding for the program's activities. The program's activities are also influenced by external factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Myanmar coup. The program has implemented adjustments to its work plan in response to these challenges, including the development of new strategies and tools to address the impact of COVID-19 on malaria surveillance systems. The program's progress is also reflected in the development of new scientific products, including research briefs, publication abstracts, and communications concept notes. These products provide insights into the program's activities and outcomes, and highlight the program's contributions to the global effort to eliminate malaria. The program's achievements are also reflected in the data on malaria cases and surveillance indicators, which show improvements in the percentage of reporting units that submit data to the HIS on time and the percentage of reported malaria cases with complete information. The program's success in achieving its benchmarks is also reflected in the data on the number of new or improved strategies or tools developed with technical assistance from Inform Asia. The program's financial report for the period from October 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021, shows a total expenditure of $X, which is within the program's budget. The program's financial management is overseen by the Chief of Party and the program's financial manager, who ensure that the program's financial activities are in compliance with USAID's financial regulations and policies. The program's planned activities for the next quarter include the development of new scientific products, the implementation of new strategies and tools, and the continuation of the program's monitoring and evaluation activities. The program's team will also participate in upcoming events and travel to support the program's activities and outcomes.