The MENTOR Initiative led a two-week training programme in key entomological surveillance skills at 21 focal points in Guinea Bissau during November.
For the first time in its history, MENTOR has worked in Guinea Bissau to support a network of public health workers, who will lead efforts to monitor the malaria vector population of Guinea Bissau.
The training was supported by UNDP, the Bandim Health Project and the MOH National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) with Global Fund funding. It focused on essential field entomological sample collection tools and activities, sample preparation and morphological identification, susceptibility testing and data analysis and reporting.
Dr.Agostinho N’Dumba, Director General of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, recognised the importance of this training as a key tool to monitor malaria vectors and potential global threats to malaria control and elimination, such as malaria resistance.
MENTOR will continue to provide its expertise in key areas and support further developments related to malaria control and elimination in the country. This may include technical and operational support to the new malaria strategic plan being drawn up.