The PMI Shinda (Defeat) Malaria project, implemented by the Ifakara Health Institute and partners, hosted a delegation from the President's Office - Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG) and the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) at its Dar es Salaam office on August 12, 2024.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the program's work plan for its upcoming third year. The meeting was officiated by Dr. Samuel Lazaro, Head of the NMCP, who expressed his appreciation for the project's efforts, which he observed firsthand during a visit to the Kagera region last month.

Malaria Program Chief Impressed

"I want to sincerely thank the PMI Shinda (Defeat) Malaria project for its remarkable work in the intervention regions. The insights I gained from my visit have deepened my understanding of the project's impact, which will be invaluable for our discussions today," said Dr. Lazaro.

Dr. Lazaro also praised the project for involving participants from local councils where the project is implemented to help identify priority areas for the third year. He emphasized the importance of this "bottom-up" approach, noting that the NMCP values input from local councils to ensure that solutions are tailored to the specific needs of each area.

The meeting featured a series of presentations by PMI Shinda (Defeat) Malaria staff, who reviewed the achievements of the previous year and outlined plans for the upcoming year.

12,980 Receive Malaria Diagnostic Services in Kagera and Katavi

One notable accomplishment highlighted was 12,980 individuals in remote villages in the Kagera and Katavi regions received malaria diagnostic services through the project's integrated Community Case Management initiative. 

This effort has provided essential care to those with limited access to health facilities, particularly pregnant women and children under five, significantly reducing malaria morbidity and mortality.

Dr. Lazaro concluded the meeting by thanking all participants for their contributions and time, stressing the importance of ensuring that health facilities across the country adhere to the Ministry of Health's agreement with donor partners to provide free malaria services to all citizens.

"Ensure No One Is Charged for Malaria Services"

"Our donor partners are making significant investments to ensure that our people receive free treatment for a number of diseases, including malaria. I urge PO-RALG to ensure that no one in the country is charged for malaria services," said Dr. Lazaro.

Dr. Dunstan Bishanga, Chief of Party for the PMI Shinda (Defeat) Malaria project, expressed his gratitude to the participants for their commitment to planning for the third year. He reiterated the project's dedication to doing everything possible to achieve malaria elimination in Tanzania.