US President’s Malaria Initiative for States (PMI-S) Task Order 02 Quarterly Report FY21 Quarter 1 – October 1 to December 31, 2020

The project supports the Government of Nigeria at the federal, state, local government area (LGA), and community levels to reduce under-five and maternal mortality by delivering quality services for managing malaria and preventing malaria during pregnancy and in children under five through seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC). The PMI-S project is implemented under an indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract with several task orders (TOs). Building on TO 01, TO 02 supports the federal level in strengthening the capacity of the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP) to develop national malaria control policies and guidelines to implement the National Malaria Strategic Plan (NMSP) 2014–2020 and to analyze data to inform program decisions and investments. The following TO 02 objectives are to be accomplished by engaging at the federal level: (1) improve quality of and access to comprehensive malaria case management (MCM) services, (2) improve evidence for decision making, (3) improve drug-based prevention and treatment approaches (intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy [IPTp] and seasonal malaria chemoprevention [SMC]), and (4) strengthen existing health systems and improve NMEP management. PMI-S collaborates with other PMI implementing partners, including Breakthrough ACTION Nigeria (BA-N), Global Health Supply Chain-Procurement Supply Management (GHSC-PSM), Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, and the Integrated Health Project (IHP) in Ebonyi. Other stakeholders include the Global Fund, World Health Organization (WHO), and Support to the National Malaria Programme–Phase 2 (SuNMaP 2). PMI-S regularly collaborates with NMEP branches and the sub-committees to share project findings and leverage support for state-level implementation. Seven out of ten indicators (representing 70% of PMI-S TO 02 reportable indicators) are on target. During the quarter, the following results were achieved: Concluded monitoring of field activities on the therapeutic efficacy study (TES), support of on-going post field activities such as data management and transmission of dried blood samples (DBS) for molecular analysis to Redeemer’s University. Supported the development of the draft of the case management SOPs and job aids which will be used by the Training Manual Consultant planned to be recruited in Q2 to finalize the job aids and SOPS and the development of the Training Manuals. Provided technical and financial support to NMEP towards the 2020 National Severe Malaria Management Review meeting held in December 2020. Provided financial and technical support to NMEP to develop national malaria monitoring and evaluation (M&E) Plan. Supported NMEP to participate in state level National Malaria Data Repository (NMDR) cascade in Cross River. Provided technical input in the operations of case management; surveillance, monitoring and evaluation (SME); and program management coordination structures. Provided both technical and financial support to NMEP for the performance review of 2020 annual operational plan (AOP) and development of a new 2021 AOP. PMI-S made progress with implementing activities during this period despite coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) restrictions. Priority activities are described in section 2.1 and progress toward all activities for FY21 Q1 is detailed in the Detailed Implementation Plan in Annex D. Annual severe malaria stakeholders meeting: PMI-S supported the annual meeting of critical stakeholders on severe malaria from across the states. The key outcome was the dissemination of the clinical audit report on severe malaria management and the need to capture service data on severe malaria from tertiary and secondary health facilities. Therapeutic Efficacy Study (TES): PMI-S concluded monitoring field activities this quarter in addition to the support of on-going post field activities such as data management and transmission of TES dried blood samples (DBS) for molecular analysis to Redeemer’s University. The PMI-S project has a total estimated life-of-activity cost of $9,361,346. The project is implemented in collaboration with several stakeholders, including the Global Fund, World Health Organization (WHO), and Support to the National Malaria Programme–Phase 2 (SuNMaP 2). The project has made significant progress in implementing activities despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project has supported the development of national malaria control policies and guidelines, improved evidence for decision making, and strengthened existing health systems and improved NMEP management. The project has also supported the development of national malaria monitoring and evaluation (M&E) Plan and provided technical input in the operations of case management; surveillance, monitoring and evaluation (SME); and program management coordination structures.