RAI malaria workers bridging the gaps 15.07.2015

The “Intensified Malaria Control in Myanmar” programme of Medical Action Myanmar (MAM) with support from the Regional Artemisinin Initiative grant includes heath education to raise awareness on prevention of malaria and to promote malaria services by Community Health Workers. A health educator from MAM educates a group of interested school students on malaria prevention. Photo: MAM

The “Intensified Malaria Control in Myanmar” programme of Medical Action Myanmar (MAM) with support from the Regional Artemisinin Initiative grant includes heath education to raise awareness on prevention of malaria and to promote malaria services by Community Health Workers. A health educator from MAM educates a group of interested school students on malaria prevention. Photo: MAM

Community malaria workers are the first points of contact for malaria prevention and control with their first-hand knowledge of the communities and of the movement of mobile, at-risk populations in areas where malaria is prevalent. By the end of 2016, more than 5,000 community health workers will have been trained under the RAI Myanmar grant alone. 

Since 2014, the Regional Artemisinin-resistance Initiative (RAI) Myanmar grant has supported the training of around 2,000 community malaria workers in 52 townships to improve their skills in disseminating key health messages for malaria prevention, promoting health seeking behaviour and raising community awareness. With their first-hand knowledge of the communities and of the movement of mobile, at-risk populations in areas where malaria is prevalent, community malaria workers are the first points of contact for malaria prevention and control.

They give health education on malaria prevention, distribute long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and insecticide treated nets (ITNs), promote available malaria services and provide directly observed treatment (DOT) for malaria as well as follow-up.

By the end of 2016, more than 5,000 community health workers will have been trained under the RAI Myanmar grant alone. Systems have also been put in place through the grant to support them to maintain their motivation and good performance levels – essential for the increased detection of malaria needed for successful malaria elimination.

Here, a community malaria worker from Medical Action Myanmar (MAM) teaches a group of interested students about malaria prevention. MAM has been implementing the ‘Intensified Malaria Control in Myanmar’ project with support from the RAI grant since 2014.