Malaria control program - phase V

Evaluation included discussion with program officials. Program data was reviewed, discussed, and analysed, and in some cases cross-checked with Statistics Office for comparison, verification, and correlation. Observation visit was made to sector hospital, and meetings held with responsible officials. Steps were taken to integrate MCS with Ministry of Health (MOH) basic health services. Integration processes were explained to MCS and MOH staff country-wide, facilities were shared, MCS microscopists oriented to general lab technology, and integration guidelines prepared for 7/73 discussions between MCS and MOH officials. Provisional target of 5% positive cases in operational areas has been achieved according to Seasonal Blood Survey (SBS) results of past four years. Spraying activities have been extended over a wider area. Full-spray coverage was not achieved in three zones and operations suspended in one sub-zone due to security conditions and fuel shortages. A slight increase was noted in number of case flare-ups due to suspension of spraying, population resettlement following abolition of private land ownership, and movements of seasonal agricultural workers. Entomology studies have indicated no increase in insecticide tolerance level in upper Awash Valley. Evaluator recommends that a decision be made about an inventory of vehicle spare parts no longer used by MCS, and about possible procurement from surplus of parts needed to extend operational life of older MCS vehicles. Evaluator also recommends evaluation instrument suitable for use by host country as indicator of how Ethiopia views program status. Further scrutiny by USAID is recommended to assure that the amount of sprayers and sprayer parts requested agrees with project needs.