An annual review meeting and capacity building for State RBM Programme Managers and Federal Ministry of Health programme officers was held at the Mid-Way Inn Makurdi, Benue State from 12 – 14 December, 2004.

Thirty five States Roll Back Malaria (RBM) programme managers including the Federal Capital Territory Abuja were in attendance. The RBM National Coordinator, Dr. T. O. Sofola, led the Federal Ministry of Health Team. Present at the two – day meeting also were representatives from RBM Partners including the WHO, UNICEF, USAID, DFID, POLICY PROJECT, SFH and two RBM Commercial Partners- Syngenta and Harvestfield.

The objectives of the meeting were to:

• Build capacity of state programme managers
• Scale up the RBM implementation towards meeting the Abuja targets
• Effectively plan for the year 2005.

The method of work included plenary presentation of State reports, technical papers and group work.

It was observed that:

• Malaria remains a major problem and requires urgent and concerted efforts for its control
• Although the Federal Government and other RBM Partners have demonstrated strong commitment towards achieving the set objectives, enormous resources are required to attain the Abuja targets
• The challenges and constraints include political will with low financial commitment at all levels
• Inadequate and poor distribution of commodities to support the scaling up of RBM activities
• Lack of logistic support
• Poor data collection and reporting system
• Poor monitoring and evaluation process of RBM activities.

It was therefore resolved that:

1. Efforts be intensified by all States and LGAs in the Federation to attain the Abuja targets by the end of 2005;
2. Advocacy visits be paid by the Federal Ministry of Health and RBM Partners to the States to further sensitize them on Implementation of RBM.
3. ITNs for IMPAC should be distributed according to laid down guidelines.
4. States and LGAs procure RBM commodities and intensify capacity building through training/re-training of health workers and other caregivers on IPT, IMPAC and Case Management.
5. Adequate logistic support including project vehicles, motorcycles and all other equipment should be provided for RBM implementation.
6. Supervision, monitoring and evaluation be intensified by the States and LGAs and utilization of these data should be encouraged.

MEMBERS