Malaria Competence

"It is one thing to distribute bednets. It is another thing to use them." This comment is frequently heard in all of those areas of the world where malaria remains a serious threat to the survival, the health and the prosperity of a community.

In the words of Mr Norbert Paniak, President of the Togolese Red Cross, "In the struggle against malaria, it is most important for people to be aware of the problem, for them to acknowledge the problem and for them to take charge of it."

Malaria Competence is a methodology that allows people to take charge of the problem of malaria.

It allows communities:

• to understand their current situation
• to decide on the actions they need to take to improve that situation
• to take the necessary actions, and
• to measure their progress,

Some background to this site

The methodology discussed in this site is called the 'Malaria Competence process'. It has been adapted from the AIDS Competence process that is used by The Constellation for AIDS Competence. Full details of the Constellation and the AIDS Competence process can be found at www.aidscompetence.org. You are more than welcome to join the discussion around the Competence process at the Ning social network site.

Here is a short description of what you will find in each of the sections of the site:

• The idea of Malaria Competence
  The basis of the competence approach is that when communities own the issue of malaria, they have the capacity to deal with the challenge that it presents.
  
  
• The elements of the competence approach
  ...but how does the community come to take ownership of the problem of malaria? A prerequisite for ownership by the community is discussion by the community. Unless a problem is discussed, then it does not exist. So one aim of the Malaria Competence process is to stimulate discussion...
  
  
• Self Assessment
  ...and it is through discussion that the community assesses its own level of competence. The Self Assessment leads naturally to the community to decide for itself the actions that they will take to improve their situation..
  
  
• Results
  And this approach produces results. A formal study in Togo shows the consequences of using the Malaria Competence approach. And indivisuals testify to the changes that it has made in their communities and their lives.
  
  
• Consequences of the approach
  The Malaria Competence approach is very easy to use. But it is a very powerful tool that has consequences beyond malaria.


• Hints for a successful Malaria Competence programme
  Some hints from the experiences in Togo and The Gambia

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The aim of the site is to introduce people to the Malaria Competence process using the experience of the Togolese Cross and the National Malaria Control Programme in The Gambia.

This site contains much more detail about the Malaria Competence Programme in Togo and The Gambia. You can find it at Togo-Gambia visit.

We hope that you find this material useful. If you would like more details on any question discussed in this site please contact us at enquiries@malariacompetence.org.

 

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