MCDI’s Malaria Control Programs support the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) # 4, 6, and 8.
Goal #4: Reduce Child Mortality
Goal # 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
Goal #8: Develop a global partnership for development
Improving Malaria Diagnostics (IMaD) Project – funded by USAID’s President’s Malaria Initiative
(2008-2012; Funding: $20 million) – MDG #6
MCDI and its partners were awarded a Cooperative Agreement by USAID at the end of September 2007 for $20 million over 5 years to Improve Malaria Diagnostics (IMaD) in the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) focus countries. This project is implemented by Medical Care Development International (MCDI) and consortium members; the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) and Hydas World Health (HWH). The consortium also collaborates with the World Health Organization (WHO) on the development of standard protocols for the validation of national malaria slide archives, and certification programs for microscopists.
In accordance with individual country Malaria Operational Plans (MOPs), IMaD’s activities include:
1. Develop detailed plans for implementing, expanding, and improving laboratory-based diagnosis of malaria in Ministry of Health facilities.
2. Assist with importation and in-country logistics of PMI commodities in selected countries.
3. Develop training materials and train health workers in malaria diagnosis using microscopy/RDTs
4. Train health care providers and laboratory staff to implement national policies for diagnosis and treatment of malaria.
5. Monitor stocks of supplies and develop a reporting and procurement system for their replacement.
6. Develop a quality assurance plan for maintaining diagnostic quality over time.
7. Develop surge capacity to meet increased demand for diagnostic capabilities during malaria epidemics.
Major accomplishments to date include:
- 1173 people trained in laboratory diagnosis of malaria, RDT usage, OTSS training, data entry and analysis;
- 566 health facilities were visited during OTSS visits;
- 38 MOH staff participated in the WHO External Competency Assessment for Malaria Microscopists;
- 6 IMaD In-country Coordinators were hired and administrative partners identified;
- Procurement of malaria laboratory equipment, supplies, and job aids was conducted in 6 countries
MDG GOALS 4, 6 and 8
MCDI is currently implementing two major national malaria control initiatives in Equatorial Guinea. Both of which contribute directly to Millennium Development Goals 4, 6 and 8.
The BIMCP II (Bioko Island Control Project) is a continuation of the first Marathon funded project which contributed significantly to the reduction of all cause under-5 child mortality. BIMCP II is committed to exploring the use of cutting edge technologies to achieve further results. The project will serve as a setting for the field trials of new IRS insecticide formulations, insecticide treated wall materials and possibly malaria vaccines. This integrated project incorporates IRS, case management, IPT, and LLIN bed-net utilization. In addition to reductions in under-5 mortality, the project has demonstrated the impact of public-private partnerships in contributing to poverty reduction. A major achievement of BIMCP II is the continued social welfare benefit that results from the diminished burden of disease attributable to malaria.
The United Nations MDG of a two thirds reduction in child mortality by 2015, has already been achieved in Bioko and the effective malaria control measures which are sustained over time, can play a key part in the achievement of this critical MDG. There has been a 65% reduction in under-5 mortality; it is estimated that approximately 5,000 lives were saved on Bioko Island as a result of the project.
EGMCI (Equatorial Guinea Malaria Control Initiative)
In the beginning of 2010 MCDI continued with the implementation of the EGMCI project funded by the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (Global Fund). This project also uses an integrated strategy of IRS, case management, IPT, and LLIN utilization.
The objectives are: (1) to expand IRS to two mainland provinces; (2) to expand access and utilization of LLINs to two other mainland provinces; (3) to expand the use of Intermittent Preventive Therapy for pregnant women (IPTp)throughout the mainland; (4) to improve case management of both uncomplicated and severe malaria by using improved treatment protocols based on the provision of artemisenin combination therapy (ACT); and (5) to strengthen MOH capacity to plan, conduct, monitor and evaluate malaria control activities. The EGMCI has a very close and cooperative relationship with the BIMCP implemented with the support of MCDI on Bioko Island. There are considerable synergies and cooperation between both projects at operational, policy, and strategic levels.
MCDI achieved and in many cases surpassed our output indicators for year three. MCDI has maintained an A2 rating for last three quarters. The table below illustrates the output indicator targets and MCDI’s achievements.
| Output Indicator | Target | Achieved |
| Sprayers trained in IRS | 636 | 640 |
| Structures Sprayed | 560,000 | 633,200 |
| Service Providers Trained | 1722 | 2113 |
| Children < 5 with severe malaria using thick blood smear or RDT | 40% | 70% |
| People trained in HIS data management | 450 | 452 |
| Impact Indicators | ||
| Parasitemia prevalence children < 5 | 45% | 51% |
