Malaria in Pregnancy Working Group (MiPWG)

Co-Chairs :

Dr Viviana Mangiaterra - WHO
Dr Koki Agarwal - JHPIEGO

RBM Secretariat Focal point:

Dr B B Udom
Tel.: +41 22 791 2482

Next meeting:

13-14 May 2013, Geneva SWITZERLAND
View Provisional Meeting Agenda and List of participants

Pregnant woman taking SP at ANC in Malawi. Photo: Michelle Wallon, Jhpiego

Description of group:
The purpose of the Malaria in Pregnancy Working Group (MPWG) is to provide strategic advice on best practices for scaling up interventions for the prevention and control of malaria during pregnancy.

Overview:
The MiPWG working group develops consensus on strategic issues related to implementation of interventions for the prevention and control of malaria during pregnancy and effective case management of malaria and anemia. It identifies critical issues arising from implementation of malaria in pregnancy interventions and recommends strategies for addressing gaps in scaling up for impact. It also pulls together experiences and disseminates best practices related to the implementation of interventions. Finally, it fosters collaboration between malaria and reproductive health programs and partners at all levels and the development of strategic partnerships at the country level.

Areas of Focus:
The MiP WG promotes WHO’s three evidence-based strategies for the prevention and treatment of malaria in pregnancy in stable malaria transmission countries: the delivery, distribution and routine use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) in pregnant women, the scale up of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) and appropriate case management through prompt and effective diagnosis and treatment of malaria in pregnant women.

This three-pronged approach should be delivered through routine focused antenatal care (FANC) as part of a comprehensive package of evidence-based services for all pregnant women. At present, WHO recommends at least four antenatal visits during pregnancy, and each visit should be seen as an opportunity to deliver MiP services.

For further information, please refer to the MiPWG Revised Terms of Reference adopted at the 18th RBM Board meeting in May 2010.