Date of Award

January 2013

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Department

School of Public Health

First Advisor

Amanda Durante

Abstract

Bhutan is embarking on elimination over the course of the next decade. The purpose of this evaluation is to assess the ability of the current surveillance system to meet the objectives of the Vector-borne Disease Control Programme (VDCP), to highlight the priorities of the surveillance system as the nation transitions into an era of elimination, and to identify areas that require attention for this goal to be achieved. An evaluation of the national malaria surveillance system of Bhutan from 2006 to 2012 was conducted using the CDC updated guidelines for evaluation. National malaria surveillance data, written VDCP protocols, and informal interviews were assessed. Cases and deaths decreased over the time period, and program indicators surpassed WHO milestones for the transition to elimination. Overall, the malaria surveillance system is strong and produces data that is useful and of good quality, but the pivot to elimination will require system function enhancement through increased and more accurate blood screens, active case finding and investigation, focally-targeted response measures, and solutions to the challenges of funding re-introductions of infections.

Comments

This is an Open Access Thesis.

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