The WHO Global Malaria Programme and TDR have coordinated the update of a field guide on seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) to improve SMC implementation, coverage, and monitoring and evaluation.
Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is the intermittent administration of a curative dose of antimalarial medicine to children at high risk of severe malaria living in areas with seasonal transmission, regardless of whether they are infected with malaria. SMC was recommended in 2012 by WHO as a safe and cost-effective strategy to complement other control activities, such as vector control measures, prompt diagnosis and treatment of confirmed cases.
WHO has highlighted the urgency of strengthening the delivery of proven interventions such as SMC. In 2021, SMC programmes reached approximately 45 million children in 15 African countries, up from 33.4 million in 2020 and 22.1 million 2019. However, many of these children did not receive the full number of monthly treatments that were needed to protect them throughout the high-risk period, and millions of children who are eligible for SMC live in areas which do not have SMC programmes.
To support SMC implementation, WHO developed a first field guide in 2013. With the contribution of frontline health workers in 13 countries implementing SMC and key international partners, a second edition was developed that builds on the experience of more than 10 years of SMC deployment, and reflects changes introduced in the WHO guidelines for malaria, 3 June 2022. The goal of this publication is to share these best practices to improve SMC implementation, coverage, and monitoring and evaluation.
Examples of materials and tools as well as links to resources are included to support managers and health workers in their efforts to conduct successful SMC activities and prevent malaria among vulnerable children. This document is available in French
and English.
For more information, please contact : Dr Corinne Merle (TDR) and Peter Ehizibue Olumese (GMP).