Introduction The Branch is responsible to the Head of Division. The responsibility of the branch include the following:
Plan programme for case management activities which include the development of work-plan for antimalarial medicine requirements.
Provide technical support to the states in the distribution of antimalarial commodities, monitoring and surveillance of antimalarial medicines.
Train and provide orientation on malaria control activities for health staff within and outside the programme
Support in the formulation and review of policy and guidelines for malaria control activities
Facilitate and coordinate malaria training activities
Coordinate activities within the case management branch which include; Laboratory diagnosis, prevention of Malaria in Pregnancy, Home Management of Malaria, Support in the provision of technical and managerial supports for State Malaria Control Officers. Support in preparing budget for procurement and distribution of NMCP supplies (Antimalarial commodities) Maintain surveillance on recommended antimalarial medicines through the coordination of biennial Drug Therapeutic Efficacy Test (DTET) Conduct supervisory visit to states and LGA to evaluate malaria activities.
HOME MANAGEMENT OF MALARIA SECTION
Coordinate the training of Role Model Mothers (RMM) and Community Oriented Resource Persons (CORPs) on the implementation of Home Management of Malaria in the at the state and national level.
Support in the formulation and review of policy and guidelines for malaria control activities
Laboratory Activities & Operational Research
Conduct continuous surveillance of recommended antimalarial medicines through regular Drug Therapeutic Efficacy Test in all the geographical and epidemiological sites in the country. Supervise training on laboratory diagnosis of malaria (Microscopy and Rapid Diagnostic Tests) through conduct of regular training within the country.
Strategies for Case Management of Malaria
As stipulated in the National Strategic plan;
Promoting early diagnosis, prompt and effective case management
Provision of ACTs to public health facilities to manage malaria in U5
Provision of SP for the prevention of malaria during pregnancy
Improving malaria diagnosis through capacity building and health system strengthening
Work closely with other units (BCC, M&E, IVM) in providing a comprehensive package
Collaborate actively with line programmes i.e IMCI, RH, NPHCDA to improve case management package deliveries
Expanding coverage of malaria treatment through the promotion of other novel interventions such as the Home Management of Malaria in the communities
Maintaining surveillance on the use of ACTs through sentinel sites and pharmaco-vigillance
Milestones for 2008 Strategic Implementation
1. Commodities
ACTs Requirement – 80% coverage for all at risk SP Requirement – 100% coverage for all pregnant women attending antenatal clinics
2. Capacity Building (Public Sector)
It shall be carried out to involve the following category of health workers;
Tertiary institutions Secondary facilities PHCs CORPs (RMMs)