NMCP launches 2016 malaria prevention report

The Ministry of Health through the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) has launched the 2016 Malaria Indicator survey report with a glaring call to prevent the wide spread of malaria across the country.

The 2016 Liberia Malaria Indicator Survey (LMIS) is the third Malaria Indicator Survey conducted in Liberia since 2009 as part of the DHS Program, and activates here in Liberia.

The LMIS was designed to provide estimates at the national level, for urban and rural areas, and for five regions and Monrovia specifically.The launching of the 2016 LMIS report which was held Tuesday, 5 December at the Ministry of Health in Congo Town, Tubman Boulevard brought together both media representatives from various media intuitions.

The 2016 Liberia MIS provides populations-based estimates on malaria indicators including malaria prevention, case management, malaria, and anemia prevalence to inform strategic planning and program evaluation.

The report explains that all children between the ages of 6-59 months living in selected households were eligible for the malaria and anemia testing. Accordingly, the malaria testing was done through rapid diagnostic testing, and the anemia testing was also carried out using the hemocue system.

The report notes that of the 3,250 eligible children, 86% of them provided blood for RTD and anemia. In total 2,872 children were tested for malaria, and 2,873 were tested for anemia.

The 2016 MIS report suggests that the best way to prevent malaria is by suing Insecticide Treated Bednet (ITN), adding that the Intermittent Preventive Treatment (IPT) for pregnant women to prevent themselves from malaria, and the treatment consists of two doses of fansidar at least once during antenatal care.

Speaking to this paper in an interview, the Communication Associates at Democratic Health Survey (DHS) Mrs. Anne Linn says the 2016 survey targeted about 4,000 households, and it ran from September to November 2016.

According to her, the objective of the 2016 LMIS report is to provide current information for policymakers, planners, researchers, and program managers to have an insight on the danger of malaria.Mrs. Linn names topics in the report as Ownership, Access, and the Use of Mosquito bednets.

By Lewis S. Teh–Edited by Winston W. Parley