Mobile malaria services for hard-to-reach communities in northeast Cambodia

In Cambodia, those most vulnerable to malaria infection are forest goers who live and work in remote areas that lack access to community or facility-based healthcare services. Therefore, since December 2015 Malaria Consortium has been working with mobile malaria workers (MMWs) to pilot different methods in various locations for the early diagnosis and treatment of malaria among this high-risk group. MMWs are respected and trusted members of the target population and are able to communicate in local languages. They have knowledge of the forest and regional topography and conduct frequent and intensive outreach activities in difficult terrain. Moreover, they are able to coordinate with the national surveillance and reporting systems at the local level.

Expansion of the existing network of MMWs, establishing a ‘protective ring’ of MMWs and mobile malaria posts (MMPs) around the main forests of northeast Cambodia (Preah Vihear, Ratanakiri and Stung Treng provinces).
Proactive case detection approaches included mobile malaria posts positioned at frequented locations around and within forests, and locally informed outreach activities targeting more remote locations. Reactive case detection was conducted among co-travellers of confirmed cases. Testing for malaria was conducted independent of fever symptoms. Routine monitoring of programmatic data informed tactical adaptations, while supervision exercises ensured service quality.

Project brief

Health Systems & Op. Research
Indigenous Cases & Importation
Residual Transmission
Tools for Elimination
Vulnerable Populations

Dec 2015 — Dec 2020

Cambodia

RAI2E (RAI towards Elimination of Malaria)

Targeted Test and Treat (TTaT) strategies
Reactive strategies