Working with Local Leaders to Protect Communities from Malaria

The U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) supports countries to conduct indoor residual spraying (IRS). This is an effective way to kill and repel mosquitoes carrying the malaria parasite, which is the leading cause of serious illness and death in Mali. The COVID pandemic continues to challenge public health workers implementing malaria interventions across the globe. Ongoing conflict and insecurity in Mali add to these challenges, putting critical anti-malaria services at risk.

To ensure that people are protected from malaria despite these challenges PMI VectorLink communicates regularly by phone with local authorities and community leaders in Mali to effectively monitor the security situation in areas where spraying takes place. When security issues prevent spray teams from adhering to the plan, village chiefs are contacted to reschedule, and the project closely tracks the evolving security situation.

Local administrative authorities also play an important role in increasing community awareness and acceptance of IRS. PMI VectorLink Mali engages village chiefs and their deputies to ensure homeowners are well prepared to accept IRS. One day before the arrival of the spray team, under the direction of the village chief, an Information, Education and Communication (IEC) mobilizer goes door to door providing important information to the community on IRS and reminding people about how best to prepare their homes for spraying.

In previous years, PMI VectorLink Mali came across many homes in agricultural areas that were locked due to people working in their fields when the spray teams arrived. However, this year, thanks to community collaboration, homeowners were well prepared, and PMI VectorLink Mali has been able to safely conduct the spray campaign. As a result, PMI Mali successfully completed the 2021 IRS campaign in Bandiagara, Djenné and Mopti districts, protecting approximately 233,663 people, including 45,249 children under five years old and 17,768 pregnant women. Thanks to strong relationships with local partners and beneficiaries, the team exceeded its target spray coverage of 85% to reach 96.7% coverage during the 2021 IRS campaign.

“We trust that once again this year, thanks to IRS, there will be fewer and fewer cases of malaria in our community,” said Sogoba Dembélé, President of the Women’s Association in Bounguel, Djenné District. “As mothers, we are very pleased for that because it will prevent us from spending our time in hospitals, which gives us time for taking care of our daily business for the well-being of the whole family.