China-Burma Border

Table of Contents   Introduction Thai-Burma Border Scaling Up Improving Access China-Burma Border India-Burma Border Advocacy Next Steps

Based upon the success of the KDHW malaria control program, GHAP began a similar MCP in Kachin state along the China-Burma border. Partnering with the Kachin health department, GHAP is building the capacity of local health workers to screen target populations for Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest strain of the malaria parasite, treat using ACT, and distribute insecticide treatment to impregnate regular bed nets. Starting with 2 pilot villages in 2006, the program has expanded to cover 9 villages in 2007, reaching over 5,000 people.

Fewer security and political constraints allow the health workers to implement the program in more stable settings, i.e. "rural health centers," which allows for the use of field microscopy. Despite the low cost of rapid diagnostic test kits used in less stable areas (less than $1 per kit), microscopy costs less in the long run, and is able to confirm the diagnosis of other malaria parasites such as Plasmodium vivax.

Like the program on the Thai-Burma border, health workers return bi-annually to report their screening and treatment cases, and take refresher courses in malaria diagnosis and treatment and program monitoring. Older, more experienced malaria health workers are invited and encouraged to train the newer trainees in various program aspects.

The local health department is also taking initiative to educate and discourage the villagers about the existence of fake anti-malarials, known to be sold in abundance throughout Burma.

So far, the malaria prevalence in the pilot areas dramatically decreased from 12% to about 1% in less than one year. The overall number of people coming to the rural health centers seeking malaria treatment has also fallen dramatically.

Unlike the less stable populations of Karen state, the Kachin have marketplace access to acquire untreated bednets. Rather than purchasing expensive, long-lasting ITNS, the MCP decided instead to emphasize treating used bednets that most families seem to have in abundance. To this end, village education campaigns were initiated to encourage communities to treat their existing nets with KO-Tab insecticide treatment.

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