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Manzoni G, Try R, Guintran JO, Christiansen-Jucht C, Jacoby E, Sovannaroth S, Zhang Z, Banouvong V, Shortus MS, Reyburn R, Chanthavisouk C, Linn NYY, Thapa B, Khine SK, Sudathip P, Gopinath D, Thieu NQ, Ngon MS, Cong DT, Hui L, Kelley J, Valecha NNK, Bustos MD, Rasmussen C, Tuseo L. Progress towards malaria elimination in the Greater Mekong Subregion: perspectives from the World Health Organization. Malar J 2024; 23:64. [PMID: 38429807 PMCID: PMC10908136 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04851-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains a global health challenge, disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities. Despite substantial progress, the emergence of anti-malarial drug resistance poses a constant threat. The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), which includes Cambodia, China's Yunnan province, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam has been the epicentre for the emergence of resistance to successive generations of anti-malarial therapies. From the perspective of the World Health Organization (WHO), this article considers the collaborative efforts in the GMS, to contain Plasmodium falciparum artemisinin partial resistance and multi-drug resistance and to advance malaria elimination. The emergence of artemisinin partial resistance in the GMS necessitated urgent action and regional collaboration resulting in the Strategy for Malaria Elimination in the Greater Mekong Subregion (2015-2030), advocating for accelerated malaria elimination interventions tailored to country needs, co-ordinated and supported by the WHO Mekong malaria elimination programme. The strategy has delivered substantial reductions in malaria across all GMS countries, with a 77% reduction in malaria cases and a 97% reduction in malaria deaths across the GMS between 2012 and 2022. Notably, China was certified malaria-free by WHO in 2021. Countries' ownership and accountability have been pivotal, with each GMS country outlining its priorities in strategic and annual work plans. The development of strong networks for anti-malarial drug resistance surveillance and epidemiological surveillance was essential. Harmonization of policies and guidelines enhanced collaboration, ensuring that activities were driven by evidence. Challenges persist, particularly in Myanmar, where security concerns have limited recent progress, though an intensification and acceleration plan aims to regain momentum. Barriers to implementation can slow progress and continuing innovation is needed. Accessing mobile and migrant populations is key to addressing remaining transmission foci, requiring effective cross-border collaboration. In conclusion, the GMS has made significant progress towards malaria elimination, particularly in the east where several countries are close to P. falciparum elimination. New and persisting challenges require sustained efforts and continued close collaboration. The GMS countries have repeatedly risen to every obstacle presented, and now is the time to re-double efforts and achieve the 2030 goal of malaria elimination for the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Manzoni
- WHO Mekong Malaria Elimination Programme, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
- Independent Consultant, Antananarivo, Madagascar.
| | - Rady Try
- WHO Mekong Malaria Elimination Programme, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Jean Olivier Guintran
- World Health Organization Country Office, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Independent Consultant, Le Bar sur Loup, France
| | | | - Elodie Jacoby
- WHO Mekong Malaria Elimination Programme, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Independent Consultant, Ho Chi Minh, Viet Nam
| | - Siv Sovannaroth
- National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Zaixing Zhang
- World Health Organization Country Office, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | | | | | - Rita Reyburn
- World Health Organization Country Office, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | | | - Nay Yi Yi Linn
- National Malaria Control Programme, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
| | - Badri Thapa
- World Health Organization Country Office, Yangon, Myanmar
| | | | - Prayuth Sudathip
- Division of Vector Borne Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Deyer Gopinath
- World Health Organization Country Office, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nguyen Quang Thieu
- National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology, Hanoi, Viet Nam
| | | | | | - Liu Hui
- Yunnan Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Yunnan, China
| | - James Kelley
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines
| | | | - Maria Dorina Bustos
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for South-East Asia, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Luciano Tuseo
- WHO Mekong Malaria Elimination Programme, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines
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Canavati SE, Lawpoolsri S, Quintero CE, Nguon C, Ly P, Pukrittayakamee S, Sintasath D, Singhasivanon P, Peeters Grietens K, Whittaker MA. Village malaria worker performance key to the elimination of artemisinin-resistant malaria: a Western Cambodia health system assessment. Malar J 2016; 15:282. [PMID: 27206729 PMCID: PMC4875644 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-016-1322-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Village malaria workers (VMWs) and mobile malaria workers (MMWs) are a critical component of Cambodia’s national strategy to eliminate
Plasmodium falciparum malaria by 2025. Since 2004, VMWs have been providing malaria diagnosis through the use of rapid diagnostic tests and free-of-charge artemisinin-based combination therapy in villages more than 5 km away from the closest health facility. They have also played a key role in the delivery of behaviour change communication interventions to this target population. This study aimed to assess the job performance of VMWs/MMWs, and identify challenges they face, which may impede elimination efforts. Methods A mixed-methods assessment was conducted in five provinces of western Cambodia. One hundred and eighty five VMW/MMW participants were surveyed using a structured questionnaire. Qualitative data was gathered through a total of 60 focus group discussions and 65 in-depth interviews. Data triangulation of the qualitative and quantitative data was used during analysis. Results Overall, VMWs/MMWs met or exceeded the expected performance levels (80 %). Nevertheless, some performance gaps were identified. Misconceptions regarding malaria transmission and prevention were found among workers. The recommended approach for malaria treatment, directly-observed treatment (DOT), had low implementation rates. Stock-outs, difficulties in reaching out to migrant and mobile populations, insufficient means of transportation and dwindling worker satisfaction also affected job performance. Discussion VMW/MMW job performance must be increased from 80 to 100 % in order to achieve elimination. In order to do this, it is recommended for the national malaria programme to eliminate worker malaria knowledge gaps. Barriers to DOT implementation and health system failures also need to be addressed. The VMW programme should be expanded on several fronts in order to tackle remaining performance gaps. Findings from this evaluation are useful to inform the planning of future activities of the programme and to improve the effectiveness of interventions in a context where artemisinin drug resistance is a significant public health issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara E Canavati
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand. .,Centre for Biomedical Research, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Saranath Lawpoolsri
- Department of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Cesia E Quintero
- Centre for Biomedical Research, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Chea Nguon
- The National Center For Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Ministry of Health, Corner Street 92, Trapaing Svay Village, Sankat Phnom Penh Thmey, Khan Sensok, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Po Ly
- The National Center For Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Ministry of Health, Corner Street 92, Trapaing Svay Village, Sankat Phnom Penh Thmey, Khan Sensok, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Sasithon Pukrittayakamee
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.,Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - David Sintasath
- Malaria Consortium Asia, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Rajavidhi Road, Room 805, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Pratap Singhasivanon
- Department of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Koen Peeters Grietens
- Medical Anthropology Unit, Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.,School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.,Partners for Applied Social Sciences (PASS) International, Tessenderlo, Belgium
| | - Maxine Anne Whittaker
- Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia.,The University of Queensland School of Public Health, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
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Canavati SE, Lawford HLS, Fatunmbi BS, Lek D, Top-Samphor N, Leang R, Dondorp AM, Huy R, Kazadi WM. Establishing research priorities for malaria elimination in the context of the emergency response to artemisinin resistance framework-the Cambodian approach. Malar J 2016; 15:120. [PMID: 26916933 PMCID: PMC4766599 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-016-1117-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Countries of the greater Mekong subregion have made a transition from malaria control to an aim for falciparum and vivax malaria elimination. The elimination of falciparum malaria will have to be achieved against a background of increasing artemisinin and multi-drug resistance. This ambitious goal requires an operational research (OR) agenda that addresses the dynamic challenges encountered on the path to elimination, which will need to be flexible and developed in close relation with the cambodian national programme for parasitology, entomology and malaria control (CNM). In Cambodia, a number of meetings with stakeholders were convened by the CNM and emergency response to artemisinin resistance (ERAR) hub, producing an initial list of priority OR topics. The process and outcome of these meetings are described, which could serve as a template for other countries in the region. Methods A landscaping exercise was conducted to gather all past, on-going and planned malaria focussed OR activities conducted by the cambodian research consortium in Cambodia and categorized according to research theme. The six themes included (1) malaria epidemiology, surveillance and response, (2) malaria case management, (3) malaria vector control, (4) malaria behavioural issues, (5) malaria clinical studies, and (6) other vector-borne diseases (dengue, neglected tropical diseases, soil-transmitted helminths). The different themes were discussed in small focus groups, which made an initial prioritization list which was then presented to a plenary group for further discussion. This produced a list of research questions ranked according to priority. Results OR priorities produced by the thematic groups were discussed in the plenary meeting and given a priority score by group voting. A list of 17 OR questions were developed, finalized and listed, which included questions on surveillance, active case detection and treatment efficacy. Conclusion This paper describes ERAR’s work on supporting Cambodia’s transition to malaria elimination by identifying national operational research priorities. ERAR has initiated and currently plays a critical role in the development of country specific research agendas for malaria elimination. The first example of this has been the described exercise in Cambodia, which could serve a template for setting OR priorities in the wider region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara E Canavati
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Rajvithi Road, Rajthevee, Bangkok, Thailand.
| | - Harriet L S Lawford
- The National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Ministry of Health, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
| | - Bayo S Fatunmbi
- Emergency Response to Artemisinin Resistance, WHO Representative Office in Cambodia, Penh Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
| | - Dysoley Lek
- The National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Ministry of Health, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
| | - Narann Top-Samphor
- Emergency Response to Artemisinin Resistance, WHO Representative Office in Cambodia, Penh Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
| | - Rithea Leang
- The National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Ministry of Health, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
| | - Arjen M Dondorp
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
| | - Rekol Huy
- The National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Ministry of Health, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
| | - Walter M Kazadi
- Emergency Response to Artemisinin Resistance, WHO Representative Office in Cambodia, Penh Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
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