National Malaria Policy_2021-2025

CONTENT

The National Malaria Policy (2021–2025) of The Gambia focuses on eliminating malaria as a public health concern by 2025. It aligns with global frameworks like the WHO Global Malaria Technical Strategy (2016–2030) and emphasizes universal access to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Main Objective

The policy aims to achieve zero malaria deaths and eliminate indigenous malaria transmission across all regions of The Gambia by 2025.

Specific Objectives

1. Prevention: Ensure universal coverage of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS).

2. Diagnosis and Treatment: Provide prompt and effective malaria diagnosis and treatment at all levels.

3. Community Engagement: Raise awareness and involve communities in malaria prevention and control efforts.

4. Capacity Building: Train healthcare workers and strengthen health infrastructure for malaria control.

5. Monitoring and Evaluation: Establish systems to track progress and adapt strategies based on evidence.

6. Partnerships: Collaborate with national and international stakeholders to mobilize resources and expertise.

Summary

The National Malaria Policy (2021–2025) outlines a comprehensive framework to eliminate malaria in The Gambia. It emphasizes universal access to preventive measures like ITNs and IRS, effective diagnosis and treatment, and community engagement to raise awareness. The policy also focuses on capacity building, monitoring, and fostering partnerships to ensure sustainable progress.

Key strategies include:

• Scaling up ITN distribution and IRS coverage.

• Training healthcare workers in malaria diagnosis and treatment.

• Conducting public awareness campaigns to promote preventive behaviors.

• Strengthening data collection and analysis for informed decision-making.

• Collaborating with international organizations to align with global malaria elimination goals.

The policy envisions a malaria-free Gambia by 2025, contributing to improved health outcomes and socio-economic development.