In the preparation of these guidelines, it was believed the focus on the burden of malaria on pregnant women and children, the more vulnerable groups, will make an effective campaign tool, at both the levels of advocacy for policy change and resource mobilization, as well as the effort to bring the key interventions such as intermittent preventive treatment, home management of fever, prompt and effective treatment of malaria, and the use of ITNs, by especially pregnant women and children, to scale.

Making the two vulnerable groups our main focus should also enable us to effectively tap into the highly influential women's networks, and their supporters, as well as the breadth and influence of the school system through most of the Region. This does not, however, preclude coverage of other groups considered important at the community, national , regional, and even international levels.