With multiple demands on existing national health resources and services, CIAM is committed to helping address national needs and strengthen public health services. It is well-placed to do this with its roots imbedded in human resource strengthening and with strong technical analysis skills. Two examples of work with the National Malaria Control Programme, a long-standing and valued partner, are described below and illustrate the value and benefits of this type of collaboration.

Development and submission of 2 national-scale programme proposals

NMCP and CIAM worked intensively on designing 2 large programmes which scale-up new malaria technologies. One which addresses groups vulnerable to malaria eg children and pregnant women, has already gained approval for funding by the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria. The other specializes in providing technical assistance in planning, monitoring and evaluation to the scaling up process. This project also culminates in the documentation of a model of how to sustain high quality and responsive service delivery after the end of such a programme.  The decision on funding this project is pending.

Design, fundraising and start-up of an extensive 3-armed study into ANC services

An evaluation of Intermittent Preventive Treatment of malaria for pregnant women was conducted in 2 pilot divisions. Following this evaluation, the NMCP, Reproductive and Child Health Unit and CIAM collaborated on the design of an in-depth, 3-pronged study to assess antenatal care nationally, including the motivating and de-motivating factors affecting health worker performance. Funding was secured in April 2006 and one arm was completed in 2006. The combined results of the 3 arms will be published in mid-2007.