StopPalu President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) Program Component Quarterly Report (Quarter 1, FY 2016)

The project is implemented by RTI International, with support from sub-partners Jhpiego, the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), and Centre Africain de Formation pour le Développement (CENAFOD). During the first quarter of fiscal year (FY) 2016, the project revised the FY 2016 work plan and budget to align them with the Malaria Operational Plan reprogramming. Due to a delay in obtaining FY 2016 funds, the project had to reduce activities to a minimum level. A significant portion of the project's efforts was focused on supporting the NMCP to conduct the midterm review of the National Strategic Plan. The project also collaborated with the NMCP and all partners to establish the National Coordination Committee for the 2016 long-lasting insecticide-treated net (LLIN) mass distribution campaign. Additionally, the project participated in a workshop in Kindia to develop a strategy for the LLIN campaign. The project's activities during this quarter were primarily focused on supporting the NMCP and its partners in preparing for the LLIN campaign. The project's implementation of Result 1, Improved Malaria Prevention in Support of the NMS, involved increasing the supply and use of LLINs and improving IPTp uptake. During the reporting period, the project conducted home visits by community health workers (CHWs) to distribute LLINs and provide education on malaria prevention. The project also supported the NMCP in increasing the availability of LLINs in health facilities. The project's implementation of Result 2, Diagnostic testing and malaria treatment capacity improved, involved improving diagnostic capacity and use of diagnostic testing, as well as case management of uncomplicated and severe malaria. During the reporting period, the project supported the NMCP in training facility-based staff on malaria case management and provided technical assistance to improve diagnostic capacity. The project's implementation of Result 3, NMCP's technical capacity to plan, design, manage, and coordinate a comprehensive malaria control program enhanced, involved improving the MOH's capacity to collect, manage, and use malaria health information for monitoring, evaluation, and surveillance. During the reporting period, the project supported the NMCP in conducting a midterm review of the National Strategic Plan and provided technical assistance to improve the MOH's capacity to collect and use malaria health information. The project's partnership with the NMCP and other stakeholders was critical to its success during this quarter. The project worked closely with the NMCP to establish the National Coordination Committee for the 2016 LLIN mass distribution campaign and to develop a strategy for the campaign. The project also collaborated with other partners, including Jhpiego, ASM, and CENAFOD, to support the NMCP in implementing its activities. Overall, the project made significant progress during the first quarter of FY 2016, despite the challenges posed by the delay in obtaining FY 2016 funds. The project's efforts to support the NMCP in conducting the midterm review of the National Strategic Plan and in preparing for the LLIN campaign were critical to its success during this quarter.