Community Case Management of Malaria: Success Stories

Two year old Patience B, was burning with fever while tied to the back of her 6 year old sister Kou.

Kou was drawn by the crowd circling newly trained gCHV, Elina Kolleh, EQUIP’s National Director, Mr. Roland Suomie and National Malaria Control representative, Asatu M. Dono. Both had determined to take a full week to visit every gCHV trained by Equip Liberia in Nimba County under the Community Case Management (CCM) malaria pilot program. They had anticipated the arduous journey required by vehicle over rough, deeply pitted roads, to get to the various remote communities that the pilot program served, but to get to Zahn Glounla had the added challenge of a tippy dug out canoe ride across the Yah river.

Even that did not thwart their determination to ensure the CCMP was a success.

While showing the M & E team her newly acquired back pack, ledger, RDTs and other supplies, Elina noticed Kou watching her. She recognized her and knew her mother, who was working on their farm nearby. Elina sent for the mother to come and gently took the child, inquired about her medical history, checked for fever and methodically completed the RDT (rapid diagnostic test) for malaria). Patience was RDT positive.

By giving ACT malaria medicine within the first 24 hour onset of fever, Elina not only reduced the negative impact of malaria on the child, but also reduced its spread in the community.

Three weeks after the gCHVs successful community case management of malaria training in September, 19 gCHVs had treated 633 under 5 year old children with malaria in their community, 59% of those children were treated within 24 hours since the onset of fever.

One of USAID President Malaria Initiative’s (PMI) global targets is: 85% of children under five with suspected malaria will have received treatment with ACT malaria medicine within 24 hours of onset of their symptoms- a monumental goal in rural Liberia, where access to health facilities can range up to a 25 hour walk! The EQUIP PMI supported Community Case Management of Malaria Program puts that target within reach.

Article contributed by Audry Waines, Equip Liberia

Pictures taken by Roland Suomie, Equip Liberia

Community Case Management of Malaria: Placing health interventions where it counts

 

Zahn Gounla is one of 17 communities benefitting from the first Community Case Management of Malaria program approved by the Ministry of Health in rural Nimba County since the 1990 war. Chosen because of it challenging distance from the nearest clinic, community members have to cross the Yah river in a canoe and walk another 4 hours distance, to seek curative health services.

Equip Liberia, in partnership with USAID and the Ministry of Heatlh, launched the pilot training of 21 general Community Health Volunteers (gCHV) in September 2010. (CHA’s) Community selected gCHVs have an average 7^th grade education, requiring trainings to be simple, where necessary translated into dialect and with much time given to demonstration, practice and role plays.

Malaria is very common in Liberia.

It constitutes about 35% of outpatient consultations.

It is estimated that there are 4-5 malaria episodes annually in children aged 0-5 years. (LIMIS 2008).

Since the gCHVs serve deeply rural areas, their competency is carefully evaluated before being given the tools to confirm malaria through RDTs (Rapid Diagnostic Tests) and given the medicine to treat the under 5 population in their community.

Community sensitization on the issues of prevention is also an important function of the gCHV. Counseling of mothers and caregivers on early health care seeking behavior, regular use of Insecticide Treated Nets, proper compliance to medicine regime and follow-up are key responsibilities of gCHV.

Story contributed by Audry Waines, Equip Liberia

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