The IMA DRC Malaria team is back on the road in Kasai, kicking off their bed net distribution of over 670,000 Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs), donated by the Against Malaria Foundation (AMF), to eight health zones in West Kasai. They have taken the lessons learned during the pilot distribution in Nyanga Health Zone and are implementing several improvements for the next distribution. A few of the key improvements are increased training for the supervisors, an improved survey instrument that allows for fewer mistakes and better data, a more rigorous selection process and increased training for RECOs, back up battery packs for charging phones in the field, and WIFI routers for quicker uploading of data. One of the problems the team experienced in the field was the inability to retrieve data in a timely manner. With the new WIFI routers data can be retrieved from multiple RECOs at once and it only takes a few seconds to upload a days worth of data. The team is currently in Tshikapa conducting a four-day training on data management with 22 supervisors. The training is focusing on improving their knowledge of excel and Open Data Kit (ODK) software. They will also learn how to use the new WIFI routers for quicker data uploading. All of these changes in the method, as well as the increased training, will make for a much smoother and quicker experience in the field.
DRC Malaria Team Kicking Off Bed Net Distribution of 670,000 LLINs