In an effort to boost malaria diagnosis and treatment capabilities, the PMI Shinda (Defeat) Malaria project, in collaboration with the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), has launched a Basic Malaria Diagnosis Training for 38 laboratory technicians from Tabora. 

The training aims to improve the diagnostic skills of local lab technicians, addressing high malaria positivity and fatality rates in the region.

The 10-day Basic Malaria Refresher Diagnostics Training (bMDRT), co-coordinated by the NMCP and PMI Shinda (Defeat) Malaria – a five-year program implemented by the Ifakara Health Institute and partners – is part of a targeted approach to tackle the increasing malaria cases observed in Tabora. 

The Tanzanian Integrated Health Information System (DHIS 2) reported malaria cases exceeding 15% positivity in the region for three consecutive quarters in 2023, a troubling figure that underscores the urgency of intervention.

Daniel Mbwambo, Laboratory and Diagnostics Lead at the NMCP, highlighted the importance of the training, noting that it is expected to enhance the quality of malaria case management and support broader malaria elimination efforts in Tabora. 

"This training contributes significantly towards improving the quality of care and will be instrumental in reducing malaria-related mortality and morbidity in Tabora," said Mbwambo.

The initiative also aims to create a pool of trained malaria microscopy mentors who will extend their expertise to other lab technicians across the region. By equipping healthcare practitioners with basic skills in malaria microscopy, the program envisions long-term improvements in malaria care, especially for high-risk populations.