[ Dr Grace Ikahu - Division of National Malaria Control Programme ]   

Malaria poses enormous health and economic problem in Kenya, It is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the country. Cognisant of this, the Government of Kenya in consultation with local and international stakeholders developed the Kenya Malaria Strategy (KMS) whose goal is; To have reduced morbidity and mortality caused by malaria in the various epidemiological zones by two thirds of the 2007/2008 level by 2017.

Whilst there remain challenges in the control of malaria, significant successes have already been achieved through implementation of various malaria control interventions. At the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), our mandate is to provide policy, strategic guidance and co-ordinate the scaling up of an effective malaria control program. It gives us great pleasure to welcome you to fight malaria with us.

Background information

The National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), earlier known as the Division of Malaria Control (DOMC) was created by the Government of Kenya in 1994. The NMCP is now directly under the Division of Communicable Disease Prevention & Control, Department of Preventive and Promotive Health of the Ministry of Health in Kenya.

The program, currently headed by Dr Grace Ikahu - Division of National Malaria Control Programme is charged with the responsibility of providing policy and strategic guidance as well as co-ordination and scaling up of an effective malaria control program. This scale up is currently based on the Revised Kenya Malaria Strategy 2009-2018 objectives and its component strategic approaches.

The NMCP consists of six units. They are as follows:

1. Vector Control Unit
2. Case Management Unit
3. Epidemic Preparedness and Response Unit
4. Advocacy Communication and Socio-mobilisation Unit
5. Surveillance Monitoring Evaluation and Operational Research (SMEOR Unit)
6. Program Management Unit

These units are charged with the responsibility of implementing the various strategic objectives outlined in the Kenya Malaria Strategy

The roles of the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP)

The NMCP has the overall responsibility of planning and coordination of inputs and activities for malaria control at all levels. In addition, it has the following specific roles:

1. To play a leading role in defining and disseminating the Kenya  Malaria Strategy and to set annual milestones for the implementation of the strategy.
2. To be responsible for providing relevant links within the Ministry of Health and liaising with other Ministries, development partners, UN agencies and NGOs to coordinate actions and inputs.
3. To develop a critical pool of resource persons at the sub-national level for capacity building in order to facilitate the implementation of the Revised KMS.
4. To be the primary source of technical advice for the sub-national level. Information for this task is generated through the various technical working groups (TWGs). The technical working groups are constituted by the Ministry of Health to advise the NMCP and coordinate partners in specific components of the strategy.
5. To identify areas for technical support and solicit the expertise available through the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) initiative via WHO/AFRO to support in capacity building.
6. To participate in research, monitoring and evaluation of malaria activities.

The Malaria Interagency Coordinating Committee (MICC)

The Malaria Interagency Coordinating Committee (MICC) is the national technical coordinating agency for the National Malaria Control Program.

The MICC’s roles include the following:

1. Advocate for and mobilise resources for malaria control and elimination in Kenya.
2. Agree on priority areas of investment.
3. Set national targets based on Global and Roll Back Malaria targets for malaria control and elimination.
4. Support coordination of implementation activities.
5. Monitor and review performance and progress.

The specific TORs for the MICC include the following:

1. Advising and guiding the Ministry of Health on national malaria policy, strategies and priorities including cross-border issues.
2. Advising and supporting the NMCP and MOH in mobilising resources for malaria control interventions.
3. Advising and guiding the NMCP and other implementing partners on the content and organisation of their work plans on malaria.
4. To act as a forum for exchange of information on the partners’ malaria control and research activities.
5. To identify and advise on strategic areas for co-ordination at the county, national and international levels.
6. To define and review the output of the technical working groups and sub-committees and to take account of their findings in formulating advice and recommending action.
7. To receive and review progress and performance reports against set targets.
8. To identify problems and obstacles facing the implementation of malaria control activities and recommend solutions.
9. To report to the MOH twice a year on the achievements and progress against set objectives.