Ghana
Areas eligible for SMC and areas where SMC is implemented in 2020

Cycle |
Children 3 - 59 months targeted |
Children 3 - 59 months reached |
Efficiency |
Cycle 1 |
1078635 |
997631 |
92% |
Cycle 2 |
1078635 |
1034554 |
96% |
Cycle 3 |
1078635 |
1053518 |
98% |
Cycle 4 |
1074214 |
1049546 |
97% |
Data from the NMCP of Ghana
Monitoring of coverage completeness

- The team uses an electronic data collection application (SiCapp) to monitor coverage on daily basis
Monitoring for compliance
- Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) revisit household on days 2 and 3
Evaluating efficacy
- The team used case control studies to evaluate efficacy
Coverage survey
- Completed a coverage survey for the 2020 SMC
Succeses
- Some volunteers moved very early in the morning or in the evening/night to dose children when caregivers were available
- Most volunteers and supervisors strictly follow the Covid-19 prevention protocols
- Prompt and effective management of ADRs
- Volunteers in the Chereponi, a conflict area were assisted with police escorts to dose eligible children
Way forward
- Complete coverage survey
- To update Si-Capp (data collection tool)
- Continue discussions possible expansion (No. of rounds, age-group)
- To start SMC in Oti and Bono East regions – 2021
- Strengthen collaboration with neighbouring countries
Challenges
- Key Covid-19 related challenges in 2020 SMC planning and delivery
- Cost of SMC implementation increased due to purchase of PPEs and increased number of training sessions
- Some virtual meetings were disrupted due to poor internet connectivity
- A few workers tested positive for Covid-19 and had to be isolated and treated
- Some effective Social and Behavioural Change Communication methods discontinued to prevent Covid-19 spread
- Inadequate number of vehicles and frequent breakdown of vehicles
- Missing/damaged/burnt android tablets and chargers
- Data/Network issues (data synchronization)
Proposed solutions
- Mobilized funds to support SMC implementation and purchase of adequate number of PPEs
- Ensured strict adherence to all Covid-19 prevention protocols
- Excluded Covid-19 patients and contacts, encouraged self-reporting, regularly checked temperatures
- Intensified SBCC with mixed messages (about both malaria and COVID-19), using non-contact modes of communication
- Had to rent some vehicles to complement our fleet
- Sensitized CHVs on how to keep/handle the android tablets
- CHVs were trained to record data in offline mode and synchronize data when internet connectivity available
Research priorities for 2021
- SMC coverage survey-Ongoing
- Conduct efficacy study on AQ and SP (including monitoring of molecularmarkers of resistance) (2023)
Partners
- Coverage survey - OPT-SMC
- Efficacy study: Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical research (University of Ghana)