Malaria Impact Evaluation Program (MIEP)

The MIEP strategy is designed to build and support a focus on evidence and results. MIEP's approach includes:

• adopting a strong country-led approach to ensure ownership and relevance;
• creating learning teams within Ministries of Health and building capacity through a learning-by-doing approach;
• supporting governments through all stages of design and implementation;
• creating multi-country communities of practice for sharing experience and evidence; and
• pursuing a system-wide approach to contribute to resolving general health system bottlenecks, including public-private partnerships, community-based and performance-based approaches, alleviating human resource constraints, streamlining health management, and strengthening information systems.

According to MIEP, countries are engaged in major distribution campaigns of Long-Lasting Insecticide-Treated Nets (LLINs) yet the gap between ownership and usage is large. The Democratic Republic of Congo, India, and Nigeria are testing different communication strategies to find out what it takes to increase wide use of LLIN and eliminate malaria from entire communities.

MIEP also seeks to answer questions such as how to ensure that artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) is available to those that need it at a price they can afford. India, Nigeria and Zambia are investigating the role of subsidies, public-private partnerships, community engagement, and supply chain interventions in addressing bottlenecks. According to MIEP, protecting against ACT misuse and drug resistance goes beyond the availability and affordability of test kits; it requires a change in the behaviour and attitudes of medical staff, pharmacies, and patients. Zambia and India are investigating the role of subsidised rapid diagnostic tests and public-private partnerships in ensuring the responsible use of ACT. In addition, Kenya and Senegal are investigating the role of preventive treatment (IPT) in schools.

In the initial stages of the programme, two rounds of Workshops brought together 9 country delegations, World Bank operational and research staff, and researchers from several academic institutions to learn about impact evaluation and share their experiences in malaria control. Subsequent workshops focused on providing an opportunity for Ministries of Health to share what has been learned so far and work to integrate their findings in their malaria and health programmes.

Malaria