Theme 2019: "Zero Malaria starts with me"
Urgent action is needed to get the global response to malaria back on track – and ownership of the challenge lies in the hands of countries most affected by malaria. On the occasion of Malaria Day in the Americas 2019, and in keeping with this consolidated effort by the global malaria community to highlight the reported successes and the remaining challenges in malaria today, the Region is adapting the same theme used for the commemoration of World Malaria Day 2019: “Zero malaria starts with me.” Stakeholders in the Region have the option of using this theme to energize the commitment to fight malaria.
Finalists
HONDURAS: PUERTO LEMPIRA, DEPARTAMENTO DE GRACIAS A DIOS
Located in the northeastern region of Honduras in the Department of Gracias a Dios, Puerto Lempira is accessible to the rest of Honduras only by air or river /sea due to the dense jungle and vegetation. The Miskita ethnic group predominates the municipality which accounts for most malaria cases in the country and in Central America. Due to cultural and family relations, Miskitos move between Honduras and Nicaragua which increases the vulnerability of the area. After experiencing an outbreak in 2016, malaria efforts have been strengthened to include LLIN distribution and installation campaigns, Indoor Residual Spraying in some areas, and expansion of access to diagnosis and treatment through a network of 167 trained volunteer collaborators. These efforts were guided by microstratification which facilitated the identification of various malaria foci with in the municipality and throughout the department. Cases are georeferenced and case investigations are completed within 24 hours. The result was a 98% reduction in P. falciparum cases and a 92% decline on overall cases since 2016. This malaria champion is an example of how sustained investments on key malaria elimination interventions, engagement and capacity building of volunteer collaborators, and appropriate use of technology can effectively pave the way towards malaria elimination for high burden areas and challenging environments.
BRAZIL: SÃO GABRIEL DA CACHOEIRA, ESTADO DO AMAZONAS
Home to 23 different ethnic / linguistics populations, São Gabriel da Cachoeira is a geographically complex municipality located in the State of Amazonas in the North Region of Brazil and has reported among the highest incidence of malaria cases in the country. In 2018, a malaria outbreak was declared as cases reached more than 15,000. Through strong collaboration with various partners such as the Army and integration of efforts into the Primary Health Care system, key malaria interventions such as early diagnosis and treatment, vector control, and real time case mapping have been effectively carried out resulting to an approximate decrease of 50% in cases in 2019. This malaria champion demonstrates that the appropriate implementation of current malaria tools and interventions, leveraging on key partnerships and optimizing the reach of Primary Health can successfully reverse the increasing incidence of the disease in complex environments and strongly position communities towards subsequently eliminating malaria.
GUATEMALA: LA GOMERA, DEPARTAMENTO DE ESCUINTLA
With the objective of contributing in the implementation of Guatemala’s National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination 2018–2022, a technical team for the elimination of malaria was established in the Department of Escuintla to implement the diagnosis, treatment, investigation and response (DTI-R) strategy, particularly in the municipality of La Gomera which accounts for approximately 50% of all malaria cases in the country. Through microstratification and microplanning, the municipality managed to plan activities and organize human resources more effectively. Key malaria elimination interventions implemented include strengthening access to prompt diagnosis, supervised treatment, reactive case detection, and sustained capacity building, which resulted to approximately 50% decrease in cases since 2018. These were accomplished through the 186 trained volunteer collaborators, and in coordination with community leaders, churches, mass media, the sugar plantation industry, the private sector, and others. This malaria champion is an example of how changing operations from “business as usual” towards a tailored and problem-based approach, as well as strong collaborations with sectors beyond health partners can strongly position high burden areas on the way towards malaria elimination.
