Georgia towards malaria elimination

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Georgia towards malaria elimination
Paata Imnadze Director General National Center
for Disease Control and Public Health Tbilisi,
Georgia

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Reported malaria cases in Georgia(1996 2006)
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Distribution of autochthonous malaria cases by
years (1997-2006)
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Malaria incidence by regions of Georgia 2004-2006
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Generally, malaria foci are located at the
bordering areas with Azerbaijan
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Collaboration with GFATM is critically
important for implementation of malaria control
activities in Georgia

• Activities performed by the financial support of
  GFATM

• Procurement and distribution of drugs for
  anti-malaria treatment
• Provision with laboratory equipment /supply on
  the different levels (80 laboratories)
• Procurement of computer equipment for the regions
  of Georgia
• Training and re-training of health care
  professionals (1043 trainees)
• Procurement of insecticides for indoor residual
  spraying (3680 kg insecticides procured, 7 680
  000 sq.m. territory treated).

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Activities performed through the GFATM
project

• Development and distribution of 300 000 IEC
  leaflets and 10 000 posters for increasing of
  awareness of population about malaria disease,
  unsure their participation in malaria prevention
  activities
• TV clip broadcasted on two national and four
  regional TV companies during malaria transmission
  season
• Carrying out of KAP (knowledge, attitude,
  practice) survey in malaria high-risk areas of
  Georgia
• Procurement of 7 high passability vehicles

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Activities performed through the GFATM
project

• Investigations of Anopheles species in malaria
  high-risk areas of Georgia (first time during
  last 20 years)
• An. sacharovi, primary vector for malaria
  transmission, was found in Kvemo Kartli region
• Study of genetic structure of malaria vectors
  through the cytogenetical and molecular analyses.

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The new project - Consolidating the results
achieved containing further an epidemic of
malaria initiated with GFATM since 2007 year

• Objectives of the programme are
• To further strengthen institutional capacities of
  national malaria control programme/general health
  services, and to enhance capacities for
  decision-making related to malaria
• To further improve capacities for and access to
  early diagnosis and adequate treatment of
  malaria
• To promote cost-effective and sustainable vector
  control
• To improve capacities for timely response to and
  prevention of malaria outbreaks and epidemics
• To reinforce country surveillance mechanisms
  including in-built mechanisms for monitoring and
  evaluation
• To strengthen research capabilities
• To further increase community awareness and
  participation in malaria prevention.

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National Strategic Plan for malaria elimination
in Georgia will be presented to the MoLHSA in 2007

• The ultimate goal for new strategy is
  interruption of malaria transmission by 2013 year
• On the territories where malaria is already
  eliminated, the focus will be given to
  maintenance of malaria-free status
• Imported malaria cases are subject of particular
  attention and maintenance.
• Goals of the new strategy are
• Development of Plan of Action for malaria
  elimination
• Further reduce of malaria incidence and morbidity
  in Georgia
• Prevention of re-introduction of malaria on the
  territories where malaria has been already
  eliminated
• Prevention of deaths related with imported
  malaria.

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Timeframe for realization of national malaria
elimination strategy in Georgia

• 2007y.
• Development of the national malaria elimination
  strategy and plan of actions.
• 2008-2013
• Initiation of active measures for p.vivax
  malaria elimination.
• by the end of 2013.
• Interruption of p.vivax malaria
•  
• after 2013 ?.
• Certification of malaria elimination

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Conclusions

• Fight against malaria and its elimination is one
  of the most priority directions for Georgian
  healthcare system
• Collaboration with WHO/EURO and GFATM is
  critically important and determinant factor for
  malaria control and elimination activities in
  Georgia
• Necessity of cross-border collaboration
  considering natural-climatic conditions,
  intensive migration of population and
  localization of malaria foci at bordering areas.