PAHO/WHO for Suriname, 28 May 2020 - Several countries in the world have already eliminated Malaria and now Suriname - as part of the Guyana shield - is targeted for the complete elimination of Malaria by 2025. In its ongoing support to this effort, PAHO today donated to the Malaria program of the Ministry of Health, 15 tablets. The tablets have a special software to strengthen surveillance, case investigation and management through more accurate localization of cases in the interior and coordination of information with the central program In addition to the tablets, server connection and Mobile data for 4 months is also included in the donation.
“One of the important things…,” said Dr. Karen Lewis-Bell, PAHO/WHO representative “is to be able to detect and treat every single case in a very timely manner and to be able to do investigations of those cases, prevent the spread of malaria to other persons and help to prevent outbreaks and so these tablets will really give Suriname real time information as to the location of cases to help the malaria service delivery network do their job in investigating the cases and preventing outbreaks.”
The tablets with District Health Information System - 2 (DHIS-2) platform are part of a pilot project of the Malaria Program - Ministry of Health in cooperation with PAHO/WHO and other health organizations such as Medical Service, Nickerie Hospital and Bureau of Public Health. Next week Health workers will be trained in the use of the software. After success of the pilot project national implementation will proceed.
According to Dr. Helene Hiwat coordinator of the Malaria Program a quick response towards the local communities after discovery of every case is important. “for example, by bringing mosquito nets or other people in the same area to be tested. If we do that as soon as possible, we will prevent the distribution (spread) from occurring locally.”
Malaria in Suriname is nearly eliminated, but the country has to deal with imported cases. National cases are few. “Because we have imported cases…,” Dr. Hiwat explained “there is always the risk of reintroduction in the villages and communities in the interior, so we are busy intercepting imported malaria as quickly as possible and at the same time preventing as much as possible the local outbreaks and if they occur to get that under control as soon as possible.”
Still a few existing cases of malaria are a challenge for the health authorities, this pilot will help the country program to manage data and conduct case investigation in a timely manner, very important interventions when the aim is eliminate Malaria.
