The Ministry of Health, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) launch COVID 19 Syndromic Surveillance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACTS:
Prince Henderson, Communications Officer,
phenderson@pedaids.org or (+265) 999129 706
The Ministry of Health, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) launch COVID 19 Syndromic Surveillance
Lilongwe—July 16, 2020: The Government of Malawi through the support of US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) will from July 20, 2020 to December, 2020 embark on a survey to determine whether Malawians are experiencing symptoms of the flu or COVID-19 and where additional resources, like testing, support for home care, referrals might be needed for influenza-like or COVID-19 like symptoms.
The 6-month telephonic-based survey is expected to reach people who are 18 years and above, totalling approximately 56,000 of people in the general population and 28,000 people living with HIV. For the general population the survey will be conducted by trained nurses, using mobile phones from randomly generated numbers. Working as patient supporters for people living with HIV expert clients will conduct the interviews based on randomly selected phone numbers from the existing database of people living with HIV from the health facilities that the Ministry of health and EGPAF supports in Mchinji, Dedza, Ntcheu, Neno, Mwanza, Zomba, Chiradzulu, Blantyre and Thyolo districts.
“As COVID-19 may undo the gains we have made in the fight to end AIDS in children and to support the Ministry of Health with a targeted response with the limited resources, this survey will ensure those in most need get the protection and care they need”, Veena Sampathkumar, EGPAF Country Director in Malawi said.
The survey will also help to determine the general public’s knowledge of COVID-19, account for any deaths within the family of the respondent since the start of COVID-19 in Malawi and help government plan the national response to make sure people and communities are supported with testing, referral and care services.
“Individuals called to be study participants will go through an informed consent process and only if the individual consents to participate, will the nurse or patient supporter continue the survey” Veena Sampathkumar said.
About The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF)
EGPAF is the global leader in the fight against pediatric HIV and AIDS and has reached nearly 30 million pregnant women with services to prevent transmission of HIV to their babies. Founded in 1988, EGPAF today has a foot-print in 19 countries and over 5,000 sites to implement prevention, care, and treatment services; to further advance innovative research; and to execute global advocacy activities that bring dramatic change to the lives of millions of women, children, and families worldwide. For more information, visit pedaids.org.
