Zimbabwe Assistance Program in Malaria: Quarterly Report, January 1 – March 31, 2019

The program focuses on improving malaria case management, increasing access to long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), and enhancing social and behavioral change communication. Malaria case management is a critical component of the program, with a focus on community case management (CCM) and malaria in pregnancy (MiP). CCM trainings were conducted in Matabeleland North, Mashonaland Central, and Mashonaland East, with a total of 1,200 healthcare workers trained. The trainings aimed to improve healthcare workers' knowledge and skills in diagnosing and treating malaria, as well as managing complications related to the disease. The program also prioritized increasing access to LLINs, with a focus on continuous distribution (CD) and mass distribution. In the second quarter of 2019, a total of 1.3 million LLINs were delivered to beneficiaries, with a significant increase in distribution compared to the same period in 2018. The program also conducted a net durability study at month 36, which aimed to assess the effectiveness of LLINs in reducing malaria transmission. Social and behavioral change communication (SBCC) is another key component of the program, with a focus on promoting behavior change among communities to reduce malaria transmission. The program conducted SBCC activities in various districts, including Lupane District in Matabeleland North, where enhanced surveillance training was conducted to improve malaria surveillance and response. The program also prioritized monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activities to track progress and identify areas for improvement. The M&E plan included assessments of drivers of continuing malaria transmission, national malaria surveillance and monitoring plan, and case/drug consumption study. The program also conducted a weekly VHW mobile reporting pilot in Mbire District to improve malaria surveillance and response. In terms of challenges and recommendations, the program faced several challenges, including limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, and resistance to change among some healthcare workers. The program recommended increasing funding for malaria control activities, improving healthcare infrastructure, and providing ongoing training and support to healthcare workers to improve their knowledge and skills in malaria case management. The program also prioritized environmental compliance, with a focus on managing medical waste, liquid and solid LLIN waste, and public health medicines and commodities. The program implemented measures to reduce waste generation, improve waste management practices, and ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Overall, the Zimbabwe Assistance Program in Malaria made significant progress in reducing malaria-related morbidity and mortality in Zimbabwe, with a focus on improving malaria case management, increasing access to LLINs, and enhancing social and behavioral change communication. The program's efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure, provide ongoing training and support to healthcare workers, and prioritize environmental compliance will continue to be critical in achieving the program's goals.