Suriname Vector Control Needs Assessment Report

The country has expanded access to malaria diagnosis and free-effective treatment in remote areas, particularly among vulnerable populations such as illegal gold miners. Vector control activities for malaria have been limited to LLIN distribution through the Global Fund malaria project and entomological surveillance at three sentinel sites. The Ministry of Health prepared a comprehensive 5-year Strategic Plan for Malaria Control and Elimination in 2011, focusing on the intensification of activities including case management, Integrated Vector Management (IVM), and Health System Integration. The plan aims to further malaria control and eventual elimination, with a focus on the intensification of activities and the development of a more comprehensive and multi-disease vector control approach. A vector control needs assessment (VCNA) was conducted in Paramaribo, Suriname from August 6 to August 10, 2012, which highlighted the need to support vector control staff training and activities in IVM to prevent and control other vector-borne diseases and threats within the region, such as dengue and Chikungunya viruses. The training and support of vector control staff in key areas of IVM, such as entomological surveillance, database management, and insecticide application, is necessary. Additionally, greater support is needed for the selection, procurement, and quality control of insecticides used for the control of vector-borne diseases. Suriname is part of the Amazon Malaria Initiative (AMI), a seven-country regional program that aims to improve vector control and entomological monitoring in the region of the Americas. The AMI vector control partners are working to improve vector control and entomological monitoring in the region by performing vector control needs assessments (VCNAs) to review existing vector control and entomological monitoring and surveillance strategies and operations, identifying challenges and opportunities to improve current efforts. The VCNA process assists each country in reviewing opportunities and needs for implementing the AMI vector control strategic orientation document and identifying viable options for addressing them. The number of malaria cases in Suriname has decreased by 88% (>95% reduction among stable communities living in the interior of the country), and there have been drastic reductions in malaria-related mortality. Emphasis for malaria control and eventual elimination is on expanded case management and integrated vector management (IVM), which draws on a more comprehensive and multi-disease vector control approach and emphasizes the need for sound entomological information on local vectors of human diseases for evidence-based decision making. In Suriname, there are currently no active malaria vector control operations being conducted by the Ministry of Health, and indoor residual spraying (IRS) was curtailed in 2006 following just two rounds.