Central African Republic

How We Do It

A network of 34 community volunteers - MALARIA AGENTS - were identified in collaboration with the local Ministry of Health (MoH) and village authorities. The MALARIA AGENTS are strategically situated in 30 villages such that there is no more than 5kms of travel for a child or pregnant woman to receive treatment. These volunteers reach populations in over 85 villages and small settlements of IDPs.Trained by MENTOR medical officers, these MALARIA agents provide life saving care for over 130 000.

Benefits

In the absence of adequate health facilities and the current displaced and dispersed nature of the population, MENTORs community based approach dramatically increases access to malaria diagnostics and treatment. From May 2008 to January 2009 30 420 people approached a MALARIA AGENT or MENTOR supported health facility for assistance. Of these 75% had confirmed malaria. 20% of all presumed and confirmed cases were reported by all 8 MENTOR supported health facilities, while 80% of all cases were seen by malaria agents in all villages.

1. Increases access to malaria diagnosis and treatment at the village level
2. Increases awareness and promotes early treatment seeking behavior
3. Increases knowledge about vulnerable groups
4. Promotes community participation and enhances community ownership
5. Reduces the number of severe cases thereby reducing the overall number of mortality
   

Essential Components

Community Sensitization through community prevention animators working alongside Malaria Agents that promotes services utilization is very important. Regular Supervision and Monitoring, sharing results with the community are essential component to the implementation of a community/home based approach.

The Way Forward

The MENTOR Initiative will continue to work in close collaboration with the National Malaria Control Program as
well as other partners in Malaria Control in Rolling out this successful life saving strategy to other parts of CAR.