The effectiveness of the Competence Approach in the struggle against Malaria

If the facilitators trained to use the Self Assessment tool have been so well received by the communities, it is because they always show the greatest respect for local traditions.

A village head told us about this matter, “The Malaria Competence process has not been imposed on us. In the beginning, the NGSA and National Malaria Control Programme people came to visit us, the heads. They asked what we would like to know about malaria. Then they explained what they suggested to do. We agreed immediately."

The facilitators take great care to listen long and hard to the concerns of the communities that they work with so as to learn their traditions and their taboos.

. For example, none of them would think of saying, "Don’t go any longer to the marabout." Marabouts are part of life. Abu Carr Sisawo, NSGA facilitaotor notes, “We only show people that the marabout does not cure malaria. And that the nurse at the Health Centre does cure it.”

“We must greatly respect communities. We must be close to them and at the same time know our place. We must - always - allow them to take ownership of their destiny considering malaria. Self Assessment is of great help in these matters. It is a discussion and negotiation tool."

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(See the special page: 'A respect for tradition ')