Designing a Malaria Intervention Supply Chain: a Case Study
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Designing a Malaria Intervention Supply Chain: A Case Study
Directions: Read the following background information on malaria interventions in Africa which has been excerpted from (Cataldi et al. 2009). Then, answer the questions at the end of the document prior to our in-class discussion.
1. Introduction
Malaria is a vector-borne disease transmitted by infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Though this crippling disease is both preventable and curable, 300 to 500 million cases are reported each year, resulting in over 1 million deaths (Thomson et al. 2006). The majority of deaths occur in young children and pregnant women living in sub-Saharan Africa.
Treatment options have become increasingly inapplicable, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Widespread drug-resistance has developed toward the inexpensive and readily-available medications, such as chloroquine (Cox et al. 1999). Alternative medications available in Africa today have become too expensive for individuals and governments to afford. In addition, many individuals in Africa have limited or no access to a medical facility in their region, or may simply refuse to seek treatment. Thus prevention rather than treatment has become the focus across much of Africa. Rather than treating individuals already infected with malaria, the objective of vector control for prevention is to reduce the number and rates of infection by controlling the infected mosquitoes, thereby preventing biting and effectively lowering transmission rates. Successful implementation of a large-scale intervention effort requires participation locally and nationally, extensive information, as well as stable funding and resources.
Two of the predominant prevention methods include the use of Long-Lasting Insecticide-Treated Bed Nets (LLINs) and Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS). LLINs are draped over sleeping areas, providing a physical barrier to the user at night when mosquitoes are most active. The nets are treated with insecticides, which
Designing a Malaria Intervention Supply Chain: A Case Study
Directions: Read the following background information on malaria interventions in Africa which has been excerpted from (Cataldi et al. 2009). Then, answer the questions at the end of the document prior to our in-class discussion.
1. Introduction
Malaria is a vector-borne disease transmitted by infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Though this crippling disease is both preventable and curable, 300 to 500 million cases are reported each year, resulting in over 1 million deaths (Thomson et al. 2006). The majority of deaths occur in young children and pregnant women living in sub-Saharan Africa.
Treatment options have become increasingly inapplicable, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Widespread drug-resistance has developed toward the inexpensive and readily-available medications, such as chloroquine (Cox et al. 1999). Alternative medications available in Africa today have become too expensive for individuals and governments to afford. In addition, many individuals in Africa have limited or no access to a medical facility in their region, or may simply refuse to seek treatment. Thus prevention rather than treatment has become the focus across much of Africa. Rather than treating individuals already infected with malaria, the objective of vector control for prevention is to reduce the number and rates of infection by controlling the infected mosquitoes, thereby preventing biting and effectively lowering transmission rates. Successful implementation of a large-scale intervention effort requires participation locally and nationally, extensive information, as well as stable funding and resources.
Two of the predominant prevention methods include the use of Long-Lasting Insecticide-Treated Bed Nets (LLINs) and Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS). LLINs are draped over sleeping areas, providing a physical barrier to the user at night when mosquitoes are most active. The nets are treated with insecticides, which
References: Cataldi, M., C. Cho, C. Gutierrez, J. Hull, P. Kim, A. Park, J. Pickering, and J. Swann (2009). "Operations Research Bites Back: Improving Malaria Interventions in Africa.” Working paper. Cox, J., M. Craig, D. le Sueur and B. Sharp (1999). Mapping Malaria Risk in the Highlands of Africa. MARA/HIMAL Technical Report, http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/dcvbu/himal/Documents/HIMALReport.pdf. Craig, M. H., R. W. Snow and D. le Sueur (1999). "A climate-based distribution model of malaria transmission in sub-Saharan Africa." Parasitology Today 15(3): 105-111. Thomson, M. C., F. J. Doblas-Reyes, S. J. Mason, R. Hagedorn, S. J. Connor, T. Phindela, A. P. Morse and T. N. Palmer (2006). "Malaria early warnings based on seasonal climate forecasts from multi-model ensembles." Nature 439(7076): 576-579.