Division of Malaria Control, Ministry of Health, Kenya
Division
of Malaria Control (DOMC) was until October 2000 known as the National
Malaria Control Programme (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 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)
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The DOMC has the overall responsibility for planning, and coordination of inputs and activities for malaria control at all levels
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Play 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 of Health and liaison with other ministries, development partners, UN agencies and NG0s to coordinate actions and inputs. Of particular importance is the harmonisation of the National Malaria Strategy within the broad framework of the National Health Sector Strategic Plan.
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The DOMC will develop 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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The DOMC is the primary source of technical advice for the provincial and the district levels. Information for this task is generated through the various working groups (WGs) The WGs are constituted by the Ministry of Health to advise the DOMC and coordinate partners in specific components of the strategy.
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The DOMC is responsible for the identification of areas for technical support and solicit expertise available through RBM via WHO/AFRO to support capacity building work
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The DOMC has a principal responsibility within the National Malaria Strategy for Monitoring and Evaluation of malaria activities and soliciting targeted research.
The
National Malaria Strategy (NMS)
There
are four key strategic approaches to malaria control in Kenya:
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Case Management; guaranteeing people access to quick and effective treatment
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Providing malaria prevention and treatment to pregnant women
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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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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:
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Information Education and Communication
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Monitoring Evaluation and Research.
Role
of the NMCC
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The NMCC provides a forum for senior GoK MoH and other Ministry 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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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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Advise and support the DOMC and the MoH in advocating for resources for malaria control
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Review the output of the TWGs and take account of their findings in formulating advice to the MoH.
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Review reports from participating partners on progress against objectives
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Identify problems and obstacles to implementation of malaria control activities and recommend solutions.
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Report to the minister of health twice yearly on achievements and progress against objectives.
Technical
working groups
Antimalarial
Drug Policy Working Group Terms of Reference
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To keep under review the status of drug resistance and make recommendations on the recommendations
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To keep under review the quality of antimalarial drugs and manufacturing practices and recommend action as necessary to deal with substandard products and practices.
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To monitor the implementation of current drug policy, identify problem and recommend solutions, liasing with the WG on clinical management as necessary.
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To advise on government policy on antimalarial drug donations
Malaria
Clinical Management Working Group Terms of Reference
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Review and revise, or develop as necessary, clinical guidelines for case management and laboratory diagnosis for various cadres of health worker and for use in the community.
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To review pre-service and in-service training needs for case management and laboratory diagnosis and recommend changes to curricula or training packages needed to meet these needs.
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To liase with TWG on drug policy on issues of drug needs and supply
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To review needs and supply of ancillary supplies for treatment and diagnosis for treatment and diagnosis of malaria
Working
Group on ITNs Terms of Reference
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To advise on all aspects of the ITN strategy
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To foster partnerships for implementation of the ITN provision of Kenya, including ensuring that the needs of high priority groups are addressed.
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To advise on the establishment and maintenance of a register of ITN activities in Kenya
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To co-ordinate monitoring and evaluation of strategy implementation and its impact
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To advise on the dissemination of the strategy and examples of good practice, including content and distribution of a partners' newsletter.
Malaria
IEC Working
Group Terms of Reference
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To advise on all aspects of the IEC strategy including research, design, production, dissemination, monitoring and evaluation
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To contribute to and support the establishment of a network linking all major stakeholders in malaria IEC activity
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To identify best practices in malaria IEC in Kenya and advise on updating and dissemination of the same
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To advise on the establishment of an IEC Resource Centre within the DOMC
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Support and contribute to long-term implementation of national malaria IEC activity, coordinated by DOMC with stakeholders
Malaria
Research Working Group Terms of Reference
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To advise on needs for malaria research to support National Malaria Strategy implementation
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To mobilise partners and advocate for funds for such research
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To identify and advise on emerging evidence and implications for policy and strategy
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To develop, and oversee the implementation of, a strategy for dissemination of research findings relevant to National Malaria Strategy implementation
Working
Group on Monitoring and Evaluation Methodology for Malaria Terms of Reference
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To agree methods for measuring the indicators for malaria and malaria control contained in the National Malaria Strategy
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To identify the logistical and resource issues associated with applying the proposed methodology and make recommendations on the way forward
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To advise on methods and routes for disseminating the results of monitoring and evaluation and ensuring they are taken into account in strategic planning and review
Working
Group on Malaria in Pregnancy
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To agree a work plan for the first year implementation of intermittent presumptive treatment of malaria in pregnancy setting out activities, timescales, responsibilities and resources required.
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To agree training packages and information material needed to implement the IPT
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To liase with the Working Group on ITNs on promoting the use of ITNs in pregnancy
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To agree methods for monitoring implementation
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To monitor progress against the work plan and identify problems and solutions
next to the National Public Health Laboratories
Nairobi
Postal address:
P O Box 20750,
Nairobi, Kenya.
Telephone:
+254 02 716934
+254 02 716935
Fax:
+254 02 716935
Email:
nmcp@africaonline.co.ke