INTRODUCTION

 

 

            The 'Horn of Africa Network for Monitoring Antimalarial Treatment ' (HANMAT) is an initiative of experts in Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia and Yemen to strengthen the sub-regional information base on parasite chemosensitivity on which rational treatment policy and effective chemotherapy for malaria can be based.  The network has high-level commitment and support within the Ministries of Health of the six countries.  This joint initiative brings together not only the six national malaria control programmes (NMCPs) but also other operational and research expertise, as part of a network. The network should provide dynamic and continuing assessment of the status of malaria therapy and establish national and sub-regional databases for developing evidence-based antimalarial drug policies.

    Rapidly increasing resistance to antimalarial drugs is one of the major obstacles to effective malaria control in the Horn of Africa. The network should contribute significantly to the control of malaria morbidity and mortality by assisting countries to monitor the efficacy of drugs in use in order to maintain efficacious treatment policies and to collect the information needed to advocate for timely change in policy when needed.    Information on the efficacy of antimalarial treatment will be obtained using technology appropriate to the problem and the skills and resources of the region.

  The strong geographical focus of the project will facilitate interaction between malariologists, NMCPs and research institutions in the six countries, and establish a focus for scientific discussion and planning in malaria chemotherapy, complementing the promotion of effective, evidence-based strategies for malaria control in the region.

   The purpose identified by the participating representatives of the six countries is to develop capability to monitor antimalarial drug treatment efficacy as a basis for rational and effective treatment policies in the Horn of Africa (HoA).  The value added by (the funder) contribution will be to strengthen the foundation for long-term collaboration between major secondary stakeholders in malaria control from the member countries, leading to coordinated national policies, or a sub-regional policy that will provide effective treatment to millions suffering from malaria in the region.

       Proposed outputs are:

1.   Adoption of a standardised methodology for evaluating antimalarial treatment applied in HANMAT countries, consistent with current international recommendations

2.   A fully operational and comprehensive network of sentinel sites with competent personnel for assessing antimalarial treatment efficacy established in HANMAT countries

3.   A functional and reliable system of assuring quality of data, analysis, and interpretation

4.   Data from the network regularly analysed and results shared at country and sub-regional level

5.   Recommendations developed to inform periodic review of national and sub-regional drug policies/guidelines in the Horn of Africa (HoA)

 

            Sentinel sites to monitor antimalarial drug treatment efficacy will be established in the six countries to provide comprehensive coverage of variations in malaria epidemiology and ecology.

            Activities during this project will be coordinated in each of the participating countries by a National Team (NT).  Inter-country coordination will be the responsibility of the Secretariat of the HANMAT constituted by the representatives from malaria control programmes and institutions from Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia and Yemen in addition to international and regional expertise.

 

A Project Manager may be required by the funder(s) to manage the project and provide appropriate and timely project management and support services. The the funder(s) will support the project over a period of four years.