National Malaria Strategic Plan (NMSP) of Lao PDR: 2011 – 2015

Note: A more recent NMSP is available. View it here (link). 

The overall goal of the National Strategy for Malaria Control and Elimination (NSMCE) 2011-15 is to ‘Intensify malaria control efforts, targeting remaining endemic communities and key risk groups, and progressively roll out malaria elimination in selected provinces’. Projected outcomes will be achieved through the implementation of activities grouped under eight programme objectives.

Programme objectives:

1. Optimize the functionality of national malaria control and elimination efforts by strengthening programme management.
2. Maximize access to effective vector control and personal protection measures.
3. Improve access to early, effective diagnosis for malaria.
4. Support routine case management for malaria in all public sector health facilities, at community level in Stratum 3 villages and in selected private sector health facilities in more endemic districts.
5. Strengthen routine Malaria Information System.
6. Maintain malaria epidemic preparedness and response capabilities.
7. Progressively roll out malaria elimination in selected provinces.
8. Maximize utilization of malaria services through IEC/BCC and strengthen community mobilization efforts especially in elimination provinces.

Programme’s targets at the impact level are to:

1. Reduce annual incidence of uncomplicated malaria (probable and confirmed) to 0.8 cases per 1,000 population by 2015 (compared to 2008 baseline of 3.14 per 1,000 population).
2. Reduce API (Annual Parasite Incidence) to 0.6 per 1,000 population by 2015 (compared to 2008 baseline of 3.13 per 1,000 population).
3. Maintain the number of reported malaria deaths in hospital at below 15 per annum throughout the programme period (compared with a 2008 baseline of 11 malaria deaths in hospital).