Zero Malaria : ICF supports evidence for streamlining SMC implementation

In collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), ICF organized a webinar on the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) intervention as part of the technical exchange/discussion at the 2023 World Malaria Day celebrations, with the theme: « It’s Time to Achieve Zero Malaria: Innovate, Invest and Implement« . During the conference, Professor Jean Louis Abdourahim Ndiaye of Opt-SMC, Cheikh Anta Diop University of Senegal, gave a brief overview of the state of implementation of the SMC across Africa, highlighting successes, challenges, lessons learned and how countries are using evidence to adapt and optimize the impact of the intervention. According to ICF, in Cameroon, SMC is critical to accelerating progress toward zero malaria, therefore, innovation is highly recommended to maximize impact. That’s why many health professionals took part in the brainstorming. They are Dr. Dorothy Achu, Team Leader for Tropical Diseases and Vector Transmission for the WHO African Region, Dr. Judith Hedje, PMI/ CDC Cameroon Resident Advisor, Dr. Kidwang Jean Pierre, Regional Coordinator of the NMCP Technical Group in the Far North Region, Dr. Djele Sali, Regional Coordinator of the NMCPTechnical Group in the North Region and Dr. Joël Ateba of the Permanent Secretary NMCP Cameroon. The conference was co-moderated by Dr. Yazoume Ye, Dr. Eric Diboulo of the ICF and Prof. Jean Louis Abdourahim Ndiaye of OptSMC of the Cheikh Anta Diop University of Senegal.

Mortality of children under 05 years of age

As a reminder, in areas where malaria is highly seasonal, the World Health Organization recommends that the SMC protect children by eliminating existing infections and preventing new malaria infections during the rainy season that pose the greatest risk of transmission. This is achieved through the monthly administration of antimalarial medicines administered during the peak malaria transmission season.

Cameroon has implemented the SMC since 2016 in the northern and far northern regions, which account for the highest burden of the disease in the country. In 2022, the SMC was implemented as a routine strategy in 11 health districts (three of which completed five cycles) and as a campaign strategy in the remaining 36 health districts. A robust, data-driven system is in place to monitor and evaluate the implementation process and has provided evidence on coverage and gaps to be addressed. Therefore, the webinar addressed: the impact of the SMC on under-05 morbidity and mortality; the cost-effectiveness of routine strategies (use of community health workers) and campaign strategies; lessons learned from the implementation of both strategies; evidence-based decision-making in the SMC context; How to optimize the implementation and maximize the impact of the SMC (start of intervention, number of cycles, complementary interventions).

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