Resources

Malaria case management offered by Ghana’s Community Health Officers (CHOs) faces multiple challenges, including inadequate knowledge and skills due to minimal monitoring or refresher training. For this study, MalariaCare piloted an internship program for CHOs to test whether it improves the quality of care for malaria and other febrile illnesses.

Parasite detection is required to diagnose malaria, parasite counting is required to monitor treatment for severe cases, and species identification is required to correctly treat malaria. MalariaCare helps countries improve the accuracy of malaria diagnostic testing. This study examines MalariaCare’s malaria diagnostic refresher trainings for laboratory staff in francophone Africa.

MalariaCare has worked with National Malaria Control Programs in 17 countries to train a cadre of clinical experts as on-site supervisors. These supervisors work with local staff at the health facility level to perform on-site outreach training and supportive supervision—a mentorship program to improve clinical case management skills.

Kenya’s Hospital Medicine and Therapeutic Committees (HMTCs) evaluate clinical drug use and assure review of hospital outcomes. Unfortunately, few hospitals have functioning committees. MalariaCare worked to revive HMTCs to strengthen malaria case management. This report describes effects on malaria case management and health systems in Migori County Referral Hospital.

Cryptosporidium is an intestinal protozoan parasite that can cause diarrheal disease in young children. The economic burden of cryptosporidiosis has been poorly characterized. This study aimed to describe the economic impact of cryptosporidiosis on families and communities in low-resource settings, and identify data gaps to inform objectives for future analyses.