TB CARE I-Mozambique Malaria Year 1 Quarterly Report October-December 2011

The percentage of malaria cases managed according to national guidelines increased to 59%, up from an unspecified baseline. The training of clinical staff was supposed to be carried out by the Ministry of Health, but due to financial constraints, this training did not take place and has been included in the APA2 program. Malaria diagnosis and treatment expanded to community level during this quarter. The training curricula for community health workers was concluded, and the training of community health workers is linked with the training of clinicians, which will take place in APA2. The percentage of malaria cases treated by community health workers is expected to increase in the future. The malaria data management system was strengthened during this quarter. The M&E plan has been submitted for approval, and after approval, it will be printed and disseminated. Reporting on this indicator can only start in year 2. The overall work plan implementation status is about 80%. With the exception of some M&E activities, all other activities planned for the quarter have been successfully implemented. Technical and administrative challenges were encountered, including the procurement of IT equipment for the NMCP, which was finalized, but other planned M&E activities were not implemented due to the NMCP M&E focal point leaving the post. The major challenge of implementing malaria drug efficacy studies is to choose the right timing to implement the study. Experience has shown that it is difficult to carry out the study during the rainy season due to high lost to follow-up, and implementing the study during the dry season is problematic due to fewer malaria cases and lower parasite density. The training of laboratory technicians was a massive event, with 1,072 laboratory technicians trained, including 802 males and 270 females. This corresponds to 94.7% of the 1,200 laboratory staff existing in the country. The training of regional trainers in the three regions of the country was conducted by CDC experts, and the cascade training of laboratory technicians at provincial level was conducted between August and November 2011. The training of laboratory technicians was marked by a ceremony in Lichinga, Niassa, which received media coverage and was attended by USAID and the Central MoH, as well as the Governor and the Permanent Secretary of Niassa. The ceremony was organized to mark the end of the training event.