Quarterly Report: President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) Program Component StopPalu+

The report is submitted by Dr. Aissata Fofana, COP StopPalu+, RTI International, and is prepared for Dr. Patrick Condo, MD, Agreement Officer's Representative (AOR) for USAID/Guinea. Malaria endemicity in Guinea is a significant public health concern, with a high burden of disease in the country. The StopPalu+ program aims to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality in Guinea through a comprehensive approach that includes increasing the use of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), improving the use of intermittent preventive treatment of pregnant women (IPTp), increasing prompt care seeking and treatment, and increasing the full dose of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SMC) delivered in a timely manner. The program has made significant progress in achieving its objectives. In Quarter 3, FY 2018, the program conducted a total of 1,500 home visits by community agents (CAGs) and community health workers (CHWs), reaching a total of 15,000 households. The CAGs and CHWs provided LLINs to 12,000 households, and conducted group discussions on malaria prevention and care with 5,000 individuals. The program also conducted a total of 2,500 ANC services, with 95% of women receiving IPTp. The program has also made significant progress in improving the technical and interpersonal skills of providers in malaria diagnosis and care. A total of 150 health facility staff received training on malaria diagnosis and care, and 100 CHWs received training on community case management of malaria. The program has also improved the availability of quality diagnostic tests and treatment at facilities and community level. In addition to the above-mentioned activities, the program has also conducted a total of 10 radio programs with religious leaders, reaching a total of 50,000 individuals. The program has also trained a total of 50 religious leaders on malaria prevention and care. The program has made significant progress in achieving its objectives, with a total of 27,000 LLINs distributed, 2,500 ANC services provided, and 1,500 community case management conducted. The program has also improved the technical and interpersonal skills of providers in malaria diagnosis and care, and improved the availability of quality diagnostic tests and treatment at facilities and community level. The program's results framework is shown in Figure 2, which outlines the program's objectives and indicators. The program's progress is also shown in Figures 3 and 4, which outline the progress in health facility performances from the first to the second evaluation of prevention and case management of malaria in pregnancy and children and adults, respectively. The program's next quarter's activities will focus on increasing the use of LLINs, improving the use of IPTp, increasing prompt care seeking and treatment, and increasing the full dose of SMC delivered in a timely manner. The program will also continue to improve the technical and interpersonal skills of providers in malaria diagnosis and care, and improve the availability of quality diagnostic tests and treatment at facilities and community level. The program's performance report for Quarter 3, FY 2018, is shown in Annex 1, which outlines the program's progress and achievements during the quarter. The report also outlines the program's challenges and lessons learned during the quarter. Overall, the StopPalu+ program has made significant progress in achieving its objectives, and has improved the health outcomes of the population in Guinea. The program's results framework, progress, and next quarter's activities are outlined in this report.