Malaria Consortium COVID-19 Risk Assessment and Mitigation Plan for Mobile Malaria Worker Activities, Cambodia
| Malaria Risks for Malaria Consortium MMW/Mobile Posts | Mitigation Measures | Implementation Status | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Risk of decreasing number of tests done by MMWs | Procured additional PPE material Strengthened messaging on importance of use of PPE strengthened | Distributed extra masks and forehead thermometers, March/April 2020 | No decrease in number of tests observed In Stung Treng, some decrease in tests for April 2020, but this is yearly recurrent phenomenon due to Khmer New Year Starting up activities in fields near villages resulting in less forest activities by population |
| Miscommunication/ limited understanding of COVID-19 transmission and prevention | Distributed posters related to COVID-19 transmission and prevention (provided by PHD) | Distributed information on COVID-19 to all MMWs, March Gave strong messages to continue screening, implementing/following safety instructions | Low number of COVID-19 cases/no proven local transmission makes it easier for MMWs to continue the task. Malaria Consortium staff continues to support and visit the MMW/MMP in a safe way. |
| Fear feeling at MMWs/MMP/Malaria Consortium staff level | Provided additional PPEa materials and communication about fears | Completed March/April with ongoing sharing information and updating by management team (e.g., repeat safety measures, weekly update mails task force, etc.) | No fear observed among MMWs/MMP and Malaria Consortium staff; no local transmission and no cases in the area gives feeling of safety As MMWs/MMP are locally recruited, no limit in movement when some villages/areas were closed for a few days. No limits in traveling for outreach activities. |
| Coverage LLIN/LLIHN | Ongoing distribution of LLIN/LLIHN Stock-out observed from March 2020 | Requested additional LLIN/LLIHN to continue activity LLIN: out of stock on national level (refill 2021) LLIHN: received June 2020 order | Distribution of LLIHN ongoing by MMW/MMP No more LLIN: increased risk for plantation workers, for new settlements in forested areas, for new remote annex villages |
| Number of positive malaria cases | System in place: Inform health center of any Plasmodium falciparum positive cases for foci investigation Malaria Consortium team perform active case detection (=screening co-travelers) | Monitoring Malaria Consortium internal database; compare/update national Malaria Information System and exchange data monthly with CNM/WHO intensification plan for Stung Treng and Ratanakiri. | Decrease in the 3 areas of all types of malaria cases (end of dry season, starting rainy season) from January until May 2020 |
Abbreviations: CNM, National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control; LLIN, long-lasting insecticidal-treated net; LLIHN, long-lasting insecticidal-treated hammock net; MMP, mobile malaria post; MMW, mobile malaria worker; PHD, provincial health department; PPE, personal protective equipment; WHO, World Health Organization.
↵a PPE supplies provided included soap, hand sanitizer, masks, gloves, and thermometer guns.