Odisha unveils social behavior change communication material for last mile Malaria service providers

New Delhi: Naba Kisore Das, Health Minister, Government of Odisha unveiled social behavior change communication products created by Malaria No More India. The localized IEC/BCC materials were designed for dissemination at the last mile to enable improved service delivery by health workers and adoption of desired prevention and personal protection by the community.

The materials included – a ready reckoner on fundamentals of field supervision for both ASHA and Malaria Saathis, a Tin Board containing prevention and personal protection messaging and featuring Dadi – MNM India’s flagship awareness campaign’s protagonist – and Nidhi Mousa – Government of Odisha’s health messaging icon.

Unveiling the products, the Naba Kisore Das, Health Minister stated, “I am happy to unveil the local and need based IEC/ BCC tool along with ASHA and Sathee Ready reckoner, which has been developed by MNM India for effectively implementing the last mile services on Malaria in Odisha. I am hopeful Odisha will be the first state to achieve the drive on MALARIA MUKT BHARAT. Malaria No More India as a credible partner of Govt of Odisha need to focus and support Pvt Health Providers engagement, strengthening Inter sectoral and inter departmental convergence, mobilizing various stakeholders, technology & tools to eliminate malaria in Odisha.”

The unveiling event witnessed the presence key government representatives including Dr Niranjan Mishra, Director of Public Health, Govt of Odisha; Dr Ajit Mohanty, Special Secretary, Govt. of Odisha; and N.B. Dhal, Principal Secretary, Health and FW deptt, Govt of Odisha & Dr. Shubhashisha Mohanty SPO, State NVBDCP were among the invited guest.

Kelly Willis, Managing Director Strategic Initiatives, Malaria No More US, also attended the unveiling event. Commenting on the launch she stated, “Malaria No More has been a proud partner of Government of Odisha in its elimination drive since the past 4 years. We are committed to support Odisha in achieving its goal of eliminating the disease and such social behavior change products are testament to our sustained commitment. These materials will help enhance health system capacity and nudge desired community behaviors, moving the needle towards malaria elimination at the last mile.”

Echoing this sentiment, Pratik Kumar, Country Director, Malaria No More India said, “As a partner to the Government of Odisha, Malaria No More is committed to drive change and lead the state towards malaria elimination. We are certain that these materials will enable desired behaviors amongst the community and upskill last mile health service providers. We believe our efforts in the state will serve as an example for other states to adopt and implement malaria elimination strategies.”

Malaria No More is an international NGO that envisions a world where no one dies from a mosquito bite Led by an experienced Indian team, Malaria No More’s work in India began in 2016 after an extensive landscape evaluation to inform how to best tailor the program. In 2018, Malaria No More set up India’s first Strategic Support Unit (SSU) to combat malaria in Odisha – one of India’s highest malaria burden states. Since its inception, the SSU has been providing technical and advocacy support to the Government of Odisha. In addition, MNM also has set up 2 District Program Management Units (DPMUs) in Koraput and Malkangiri – two districts that contribute significantly to the malaria burden of the state. We have close to 400 health workers, working at the last mile across these districts.

Malaria No More, through real-time interventions, tools, technology, capacity building support, and need based IEC/BCC materials, has been addressing and supporting the last mile service delivery, and subsequently strengthening the fight against malaria – moving towards the reality of a Malaria Mukt Bharat!