National Malaria Strategic Plan (NMSP) of Guyana: 2015 – 2020

The Guyana National Malaria Programme Strategic Plan 2015-2020 was revised in 2018. It defines strategies to help the VCS/NMCP achieve the national goal of reducing malaria by 50% by 2020 relative to 2014. It is based on lessons learned, gaps and challenges in the implementation of the malaria program in the previous years. It aligns with Guyana’s NHSS, the Global Technical Strategy 2016-2030 from the Global Malaria Program and the Regional Plan of Action for Malaria Elimination 2016-2020 by PAHO-WHO. The NSP 2015-2020 is a product of concerted a process involving the VCS/NMCP; line Ministries, PAHO, private sector partners and NGOs, civil society and communities.

This NSP (2015-2020) was built on five broad strategic priorities and several strategic objectives.

Strategic priorities:

1. Reinforce national and regional capacities in program management and coordination with local authorities, partners, civil society and private health providers to address gaps/ challenges (SO 1,7, 8);
2. Reinforce malaria surveillance and M&E systems, including compliance across all levels (SO 2 & 7);
3. Strengthen facility-based services and increase access in hard-to-reach areas through expansion of the existing network of CHW, i.e. community case management of malaria- CCMm (SO 3 & 4);
4. Promoting personal protection and reduction of malaria transmission through IVM, (SO 5);
5. Improve IEC and develop culturally appropriate approaches to promote healthy behaviors (SO 6);

To achieve the NSP’s goal and priorities, the VCS/NMCP will implement a well-structured malaria response guided by the following specific strategic objectives:

1. Strengthen leadership, governance and promote evidence-based decision-making,
2. Decentralize the VCS/NMCP by training and empowering RHOs and providing resources,
3. Reinforce program and resource management and coordination with all sectors at all levels,
4. Update guidelines, tools and equipment for surveillance/MIS, M&E to improve data quality,
5. Design an early warning system and outbreak preparedness and response plans,
6. Promote early (within 48 hours after onset of illness), reliable and accessible malaria diagnostic services to 100% of suspected cases in all affected areas;
7. Provide easily accessible and timely treatment (within 48 hours after onset of illness) for all persons who are diagnosed with malaria, using the National Treatment Guidelines from the MoPH;
8. Ensure maximum protection from malaria for the affected population through Integrated Vector Management (IVM) and distribution of mosquito nets.

This is the mid-term (2018) revised version of the Guyana NMSP 2015-2020.