NETCELL Phase 5 – Core support to the National Malaria Control Programme in Tanzania

Malaria is a major cause of illness and death in Tanzania, with an estimated 90% of the population at risk. An array of intense control efforts such as preventive treatment for pregnant women, use of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) and improved Case Management have been engaged since 2000. Switzerland has provided technical assistance to the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) of the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children (MoHCDGEC) through the NETCELL project since 2002. NETCELL has played a key role in strengthening the capacity of NMCP to plan, coordinate and implement efficacious malaria prevention and control interventions. The NETCELL team has supported the NMCP in management and implementation of interventions on both vector control (prevention) and case management. The overall goal of case management is to ensure universal access to appropriate, quality and timely diagnosis and treatment of malaria. The project mobilises resources from several external malaria control partners and manages an annual budget of USD 100 million (up from USD 1 million in 2001). It has one of the best track records in Africa. Continued support will be needed in the coming years in order to sustain the gains and further decrease malaria prevalence.

Key Achievements (Phase 1 to Phase 4):

• The Tanzania NMCP with technical support from NETCELL has been very successful in developing and implementing a range of strategies to distribute ITNs to ensure all Tanzanians have access to a net.
• The NETCELL project has led to the decline in malaria prevalence among children under-five and the number of malaria cases in Tanzania is decreasing from an estimated 16 million in 2000 to 7.7 million in 2015.
• An estimated 60,000 child deaths are averted each year in Tanzania as a direct result of increased access to ITNs and improved treatment.
• With support from NETCELL, the Tanzania malaria programme is also leading the trail globally for malaria surveillance.
• Ten years since the beginning of NETCELL, NMCP staffing level has seen a tenfold increase to over 40 people.

If the current decline in under-five mortality rate continues at the same rate, Tanzania is very likely to achieve MDG 4 by 2015, one of the few major African countries to do so. Building on the successes of the previous phases, and learning from the lessons of the external evaluation of NETCELL in 2011, the focus of the project in the past year has seen three key changes: 1) a move from executive management of programmes, to a focus on technical advice and strategic support; 2) an extension of technical support activities to malaria case management; and 3) a strong emphasis on capacity building within NMCP. The latter has been the biggest challenge due to insufficient appointment of new government staff to NMCP. However, senior government commitment to malaria control is strong and growing, and there is a clear recognition of the organisational and human resource gaps at the NMCP.

SDC funding detailsSwiss TPH project details

Combination of Interventions
Leadership & Governance
Vector Control
Vulnerable Populations

Apr 2013 — Mar 2020

$200M

Tanzania