VL Cote d’Ivoire launches its PBO ITN mass distribution campaign during COVID-19

This week’s Fist Bump goes out to Côte d’Ivoire for implementing its first stratified mass ITN distribution campaign. Using insecticide susceptibility data collected by the PMI VectorLink Project, piperonyl-butoxide (PBO) nets were chosen as the most effective ITNs to reduce malaria in 11 districts.

At PMI’s request, VL CDI quickly undertook the logistics, finance, M&E, IEC/BCC, and other advocacy and microplanning meetings, and recruited support staff to ensure seamless coordination with the national campaign. The team was also involved with the household registration activities, supporting the NMCP in the planning, supervision, data collection, and training.

Despite several logistical challenges, the project team completed all preparatory activities on time and in compliance with the recommended preventative measures to protect participants from COVID-19 transmission.

Ultimately, the VectorLink team was able to start the PBO net distribution campaign on the same day as the 102 other health districts in Cote d’Ivoire, aptly scheduled on World Malaria Day (April 25). The VectorLink team participated in the NMCP’s formal launch event in Divo District honored by the presence of the Ministry of Health, the ministry of infrastructure and Equipment, the USAID Country Ambassador, the USAID Country Director, and the PMI local team, in which the local Administrative Authorities handed the inaugural ITN to community members as a symbolic message to promote the use of ITN.

Kudos to the VL Cote D’Ivoire team for your tireless efforts to overcome many obstacles leading up to this complex campaign with multiple partners and stakeholders. Best of luck in completing this intense 7-day campaign, which will distribute 3.14 million ITNs in the targeted districts!