Introduction of the Agency for Malaria Prevention and Control (AMPAC)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
AMPAC is the foremost community based non-governmental organization
(CBNGO) dedicated to fighting the malaria burden in Nigeria. Malaria
is, the most important disease plaguing the continent, approaching
epidemic proportions in some countries.
VISION STATEMENT
AMPAC envisages a country where people live in clean environment,
sleep under treated bed nets, where effective malaria vaccines are
available and where there may be mosquitoes but no malaria.
MISSION STATEMENT
Provision of community-based affirmative action against malaria (3
AM) is the Commitment of AMPAC. It is morning to say no to malaria in
the communities we live.
GOAL
To serve as an efficient, independent vehicle for achieving the WHO
target of halving mortality and morbidity due to malaria by 2010 in
Nigeria.
OBJECTIVES
AMPAC's primary concern is to ameliorate, following a multi-pronged
approach, the ravages of malaria with a view to ultimate control. The
under listed are the objectives.
(1) BRINGING to focus the seriousness of malaria scourge with a view
to changing policy thrust to its benefit.
(2) ACHIEVEMENT of cost-effectiveness and sustainability in the ITN
project by producing, locally, standard ITNs with African household
configurations.
(3) To ensure the provision of free prophylactic drugs to at least
80% of pregnant women, Sicklers, and non-immune adults in Nigeria.
(4) To ensure that at least 80% of the state Governments in Nigeria
have approved the free treatment of malaria in their hospitals with
the use advocacy.
(5) To ensure that 80% of the population are aware and participate in
all aspects of malaria control.
(6) ENSURE adequate environmental management measures are put in
place in our communities.
(7) To ensure that at least 70% of women can effectively practice
home treatment of malaria
(8) ENSURE participation and commitment to RBM policies from part-
ners.
(9) BUILD the capacity of health workers in research development.
ACTIVITIES
AM PAC's activities for the year have been articulated in our 2001
work plan. Particular emphasis is placed on inner cities as well as
rural communities where the need is most.
In these areas most people live under the poverty line, and with very
low resources must contend with this deadly pandemic.
The four main strategies which AMPAC uses for community malaria con-
trol are: disease management, disease prevention, social mobilization
and IEC (information, education and communication), and finally op-
erational research.
DISEASE MANAGEMENT:
This involves community level training on the home management of ma-
laria organized for women groups, community members and leaders, stu-
dents, youth and social organization, patent medicine vendors, tradi-
tional birth attendants. Training is also organized for community
health workers on basic microscopy, diagnosis and treatment of ma-
laria.
AMPAC free malaria treatment (freemat) programme is also an integral
part of this intervention.
DISEASE PREVENTION:
In keeping with the principles of the Abuja Declaration which en-
dorsed the use of treated bednets in malaria control, AMPAC is pro-
ducing and distributing insecticede treated nets (ITNs), and also
leading the crusade for the provision of these nets to all under five
African children and pregnant women.
In addition, AMPAC is committed to promoting intensive community mo-
bilization aimed at promoting personal and environmental control
measures. Larviciding and house to house fumigation is also our pri-
ority.
SOCIAL MOBILISATION AND IEC:
AMPAC is embarking on massive community health education on the
causes, prevention and control of malaria. Community malaria commit-
tees (CMCs) are formed which are trained to carry out basic RBM in-
tervention like home management of malaria, treatment and retreatment
of nets, community health education, etc. The CMCs anchor and sustain
the activities of AMPAC in the communities.
Seminars on malaria control are held in schools leading to the forma-
tion of school malaria clubs in such institutions.
National and state level seminars/workshop on all aspects of malaria
control is also our priority.
OPERATIONAL RESEARCH:
Our community projects enable us ascertain baseline malaria situation
in such communities such as treatment and prevention practices avail-
able and perception and attitudes to bednets. Research into tradi-
tional remedies available in such communities is also carried out.
STAFFING AND ADMINISTRATION:
The agency has immensely efficient and capable staff of consultants,
Doctors, Nurses, Paramedics and other professionals. It can also re-
cruit ad train temporary staff in the field during projects.
The board of trustees is composed of esteemed personalities with
proven integrity and from diverse fields of endeavours, with Profes-
sor E. N. Ezedinachi as the patron and chief M. N Nlemigbo a philan-
thropist, as the Chairman.
The National Executive Committee is composed as follows:
(1) National Executive Director: Mrs Okechukwu Victoria
(2) National Programme Officer: Dr. Chime Onuegbu
(3) Head of legal Services: Rev(Bar) N. Ndukwe
(4) Head of publicity: Lucia Aziagba
(5) Head of Development and Planning: Mrs Anette Whittaker
(6) Head of Finance and Marketing: Mr Ben Oki
(7) Regional Coordinators.
We are establishing Liaison offices in all the states of the Federa-
tion.
Finally, we request to be your partner and affiliate in Nigeria and
also seek your assistance in the following areas:
1. Training and capacity building for our organization in all aspects
of malaria control.
2. Supply of drugs for our free malaria treatment programme.
3. Strengthening of our insecticide treated net project, e.g. grant-
ing of micro credit.
4. Funding/fundraising for our specific project.
Thanking you in anticipation of your speedy reply.
Yours sincerely,
Dr. Chime Onuegbu
Programme Officer
mailto:chime@premiernetng.net
--
Send mail for the `AFRO-NETS' conference to `<afro-nets@usa.healthnet.org>'.
Mail administrative requests to `<majordomo@usa.healthnet.org>'.
For additional assistance, send mail to: `<owner-afro-nets@usa.healthnet.org>'.