These LLIN mass distribution campaigns are part of the efforts of the National Malaria Control Programme to achieve universal LLIN coverage in Myanmar with Global Fund support. The goal is to eliminate malaria in Myanmar and in the Greater Mekong Subregion by 2030.
Myanmar’s remote rural communities have limited access to malaria prevention services, including LLINs. As the difficult terrain to reach most malaria-vulnerable communities and torrential rains in the wet season may delay LLIN distribution, UNOPS-PR made sure that delivery of LLINs with Global Fund support was prioritized to remote and malaria-endemic areas and completed in time for further distribution in the communities.
Led by the National Malaria Control Programme and in collaboration with RAI2E partners, the RAI2E programme is working to ensure free mass distribution of LLINs to vulnerable communities. In early January 2019, UNOPS-PR completed its timely procurement of 5.9 million LLINs with Global Fund support and then delivered them to townships across Myanmar. The delivery was done in eight batches and was timely completed, within a few months of the arrival of the LLINs. Priority was given to malaria-endemic and remote areas.
The last batch of LLINs delivered were distributed in Nyaung Lay Pin Township, under the supervision of the Bago Region Vector Borne Disease Control (VBDC) team. Also participating in the distribution were the township public health officers and the public health teams from Pazonmyaung and Madauk rural health centres (which include lady health visitor, midwife, auxiliary midwife, public health supervisor II, and malaria spray men).
Many residents from Pazunmyaung and Madauk villages in Nyaung Lay Pin Township often migrate to nearby Shwe Kyin Township, which lies at the foot of a deeply forested mountain range, to work as gold miners there or as woodcutters in Bago Yoma logging camps. People who work and sleep in the forests are at high risk for malaria, and those who get infected can potentially spread the disease. Most malaria cases in Pazunmyaung and Madauk villages are imported cases from Shwe Kyin Township.
More than 3,000 LLINs were distributed in Nyaung Lay Pin Township. Pregnant women and children under 5 years old are given priority. “We provided one LLIN per every two persons in this community, where most malaria cases are imported cases,” says Daw Hla Hla Htay, Lab Technician Grade I, VBDC, Bago Region. The distribution also covered monasteries and schools.
Nyaung Lay Pin Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Thaung Dan Oo, who has been working there for three years, explains the reason behind the achievement, “We received LLINs earlier this year and started distribution immediately. The high turnout at the mass campaign is the result of strong community participation, engagement and improved knowledge of malaria prevention through our team’s successful education and awareness raising efforts.”
LLIN mass campaigns are always preceded by community engagement to achieve high LLIN coverage—towards achieving universal LLIN coverage in Myanmar. High turnout for LLIN distribution reflects the successful community mobilization by the experienced and committed public health staff of Pazunmyaung and Madauk villages, and the success of the Nyaung Lay Pin township public health team’s health education and malaria community awareness activities. Village community leaders and other key stakeholders were cooperative and supportive of the LLIN mass distribution.
U Nyi Nyi Aung has been working as an integrated community malaria volunteer (ICMV) in Madauk village for two years, and is thrilled to have high quality LLINs distributed in his community. “There were no problems at all with the LLIN distribution as we received enough LLINs to distribute to villagers as planned. Many villagers come for LLINs due to our community engagement. Health education on proper and persistent use of LLINs is always provided alongside every LLIN distribution,” he says.
Madauk village rural health centre midwife Daw Naw May was excited to find a large crowd that had come to receive LLINs, which were distributed in time and appreciated by the Madauk community. “Many people who go to Shwe Kyin Township for work get infected there. Sleeping under LLINs can prevent not only malaria but also other mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever, filariasis, Japanese encephalitis and Chikungunya,” she explains.
Pazunmyaung villager Daw Than Cho was pleased with the LLINs she received for her family of four. “These are good quality LLINs and I will tell my family to sleep under them whenever they sleep.” By the time the villagers bring their bed nets home, other local village volunteers will have briefed their family members on how to properly install and use a bed net, ensuring that every villager is protected from malaria.
“We are pleased that so many villagers came for LLINs. The delivery of LLINs was timely, and LLIN registration books and Logistics Management Information System (LMIS) standard operating procedures books were also sent along with the LLINs to every township. To see villagers appreciative of the LLINs we have procured with Global Fund support makes our efforts worthwhile. In collaboration with the National Malaria Control Programme and our partners, we will continue working towards achieving high LLIN coverage in Myanmar,” says Ma Aye Chan Myat, UNOPS-PR Logistics Assistant.
High community involvement, reinforced with increasing ownership and use of LLINs, are major contributing factors in reducing the malaria burden towards malaria elimination in Myanmar and in the Greater Mekong Subregion by 2030.
