Automated diagnostic platform, data management system and innovative communication tool, for improving the impact of malaria vector control interventions (DMC-MALVEC)

Objectives

The overall goal of this project is to develop a fully integrated and automated multiplex vector-diagnostic platform (LabDisk) for monitoring the species ID, the infection status of mosquitoes and the insecticide resistance profile of malaria vector populations. The system will provide sample-to-answer determinations, and it will perform genotyping at substantially lower cost, compared to the assays that are currently used in Africa.

The LabDisk will be interfaced with a Disease Data Management System (DDMS), custom made data management software which will collect data from routine entomological monitoring activities, store, and make available stratified information based on “user queries” in a standardized way.

The “GAME”, a modern ICT platform that employs interactive ways of communicating guidelines and exemplifying good practices of successful use of interventions in the health sector will be also employed, to teach operational end users the use of data to make informed decisions.

The integrated system (LabDisk, DDMS & Game) will be implemented in four sub-Saharan African countries, highly representative of malaria settings and vector control problems, to support informed decision-making about vector control and disease management. It will cover the urgent needs of an existing “market” and will provide a solution to end users, to address a most important societal challenge in Africa, the control of malaria. The system has a vast expansion potential in other applications.

The specific objectives of the DMC-MALVEC are the following:

1. Develop and validate a fully automated and cost effective diagnostic platform (LabDisk) to identify the species ID, monitor the infection status, and determine the insecticide resistance profile, of infected vectors. 

2. Upgrade, interface with the LabDisk and validate the Disease Data Management System (DDMS) smart Database, to collate and analyse this new level of data.

3. Upgrade, adapt and validate the serious gaming technology (GAME), to communicate and teach operational end users the importance and use of data output.

4. Implement and disseminate the entire system (LabDisk, DDMS & GAME) in four highly representative sub-African countries, with regard to malaria settings and vector control challenges, at the national vector control programme level and additional end-users, to assist them to make evidence based informed decisions to improve the sustainability and effectiveness of malaria control.