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Introduction
Division of Malaria Control was until October
2000 known as the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP). The NMCP was
created by the Government of Kenya in 1994. The elevation of the NMCP to
the status of a division underscores the importance that the Government
of Kenya attaches to malaria
control. The DOMC is now directly under the Department of Preventive and
Promotive Health Services. The Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee for
Malaria (ICC), formerly The National Malaria Coordinating Committee (NMCC),
is a body constituted by the
Ministry of Health to make decisions on the overarching strategic and
managerial issues.
Role
of Division of Malaria Control (DOMC)
The DOMC has the overall responsibility for
planning, and coordination of inputs and activities for malaria control
at all levels
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Plays a lead role in defining and dissemination of the
national malaria strategy and set annual milestones for the
implementation of the national malaria strategy
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It is also responsible for providing relevant links within
the ministry and liaison with other ministries, development partners, UN
agencies and NGOs to coordinate actions and inputs.
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Developing a critical mass of resource persons at the
provincial and district levels for capacity building for the
implementation of the national malaria strategy.
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It is the primary source of technical advice for the
provincial and the district levels. Information for this task is
generated through the various technical working groups (twgs). The
technical working groups are constituted by the Ministry of Health to
advise the DOMC and coordinate partners in specific components of the
strategy.
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Identifies areas for technical support and solicit
expertise available through RBM via WHO/AFRO to support capacity
building work
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Participates in research, monitoring and evaluation of
malaria activities
Role
of the Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee for Malaria (ICC)
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It provides a forum for partners in malaria control in
Kenya to exchange information on malaria control and research activities
and to identify and advise on areas of coordination.
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To advise and guide the Ministry of Health on national
malaria policy, strategy and priorities and on Roll Back Malaria in
Kenya and cross-border issues.
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To advise and support the DOMC and the MoH in advocating
for resources for malaria control
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To review the output of the twgs and take account of their
findings in formulating advice to the MoH.
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To receive and review reports from participating partners
on progress against objectives
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To identify problems and obstacles to implementation of
malaria control activities and recommend solutions.
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To report to the minister of health twice yearly on
achievements and progress against objectives.
The
National Malaria Strategy (NMS)
There are four key strategic approaches to
malaria control in Kenya. These are :-
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Case Management: guaranteeing people access to quick and
effective treatment
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Ensuring the use of insecticide treated nets ( ITNs) and
other vector control measures
by the at risk communities
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Providing malaria prevention and treatment to pregnant
women
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Improving malaria epidemic preparedness and response
There are two vital cross-cutting
strategies required to support the above strategic approaches to malaria
prevention and control in Kenya namely :-
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Information Education and Communication
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Monitoring Evaluation and Research. |