Port-au-Prince, August 10, 2015 (PAHO/WHO) - A training workshop on Malaria Elimination was held from 20 to 24 July 2015 in Port-au-Prince for central and departmental level technical staff of the Ministry of Health (MSPP) notably the National Malaria Program (PNCM) and directorates of epidemiology, research and laboratory (DELR and LNSP). The objective of training workshop was to facilitate a strong understanding of the concept of malaria elimination and to provide practical knowledge and hands-on training on the process of transitioning from malaria control mode to malaria elimination systems.
Participants learned and assimilated technical information and practical skills on how to effectively develop operational plans for antimalarial interventions in malaria elimination settings. This workshop was an opportunity to be trained on specific topics and questions such as:
- Path to malaria elimination: how to reorient the malaria program with elimination in view
- Malaria epidemiology: How parasites, humans and vector influence malaria transmission
- Diagnosis: role and quality of diagnostics and how to perform and analyze rapid tests
- Treatment: role of bi-therapy, treatment of risk groups by age and importance of adherence
- Planning and management including stock management
- Surveillance: Case notification, case and foci investigation, active case detection, outbreaks
- Vector control: implementing interventions based on impact
- Planning and management: developing operational plans for malaria elimination
- Communication: community-level advocacy (social mobilization, behavior change, etc.) to fight auto-medication, delays in seeking medical care, etc.
Participants explored ways of expanding coverage and quality of key malaria interventions across the country and how to prevent outbreaks as part of the efforts to achieve elimination. The training course curriculum was based on Haiti's national strategic plans for malaria elimination and for communication and WHO recommendations. This training was organized as part of the support of PAHO/WHO in the elimination of Malaria in Haiti. PAHO/WHO has the mandate to support countries of Latin America and the Caribbean in order to facilitate the achievement of Malaria Elimination in the region.
In 2012, Haiti and the Dominican Republic proclaimed commitment to achieve malaria elimination by 2020 by taking part in the Elimination in Mesoamerica and the Hispaniola (EMMIE) Initiative. Hispaniola, which includes Haiti and the Dominican Republic, is the only remaining island in the Caribbean where malaria is endemic. Both countries, , have been working together on binational efforts since 2002 for the elimination of malaria and lymphatic filariasis in the island. In Haiti, where the majority of Hispaniola's malaria cases occur, there were more than 16 000 confirmed cases in 2014. However, the country has achieved significant progress, as there were more than 36 000 confirmed cases in 2008.
The training will be replicated in the coming months for further capacity building among community health workers including clinicians and health staff of various departments and localities in Haiti, and later on in the Dominican Republic. The workshop was organized by the PAHO Country Office in Haiti and the PAHO/WHO Regional Malaria Team within the Neglected, tropical Vector Borne Diseases Program, with Drs. Keith H. Carter and Thior Moussa as advisors, in collaboration with CDC, CHAI and Carter Center, and with the financial support of the Office of Regional Sustainable Development, Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
