President's Malaria Initiative in Senegal

In partnership with Child Fund, Counterpart is implementing a program in Dagana, Podor, Pete, Matam, Kanel and Ranerou to provide malaria prevention and treatment. Community Health Workers (CHWs) are trained in proper treatment and case management of malaria using artemesinin-based combination therapies, including prenatal and postnatal treatment. Public education about malaria prevention is conducted, and insecticide-treated bednets are distributed.

Senegal is one of the 15 countries involved in the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI), a 5-year, $1.2 billion program led by USAID and implemented together with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

PMI's continent-wide goal is to reduce malaria deaths by 50 percent in 15 countries of Africa. The program relies on providing proper education on lifesaving treatment measures to the most vulnerable groups – pregnant women and children under 5 years old.

Recent Highlights: 

• More than 15,000 people have benefits from malaria awareness and education campaigns via broadcast media, street theater and other efforts. 
• Some 375 health professionals and CHWs have been trained on community integrated management of childhood illnesses, with a focus on preventing and treating malaria.  
• More than 9,300 people have been treated for malaria.
• Over 1 million children have received Vitamin A supplementation, and 930,000 have received de-worming medications.

To read more about this program's work across Africa, please visit:
www.fightingmalaria.gov

Photo: © Counterpart International.