Duration: January 2018 – September 2023
Total Funding: $2.5 million

OVERVIEW

The PMI VectorLink Project is a U.S President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) centrally managed project aimed at preventing mosquito-borne diseases. In Angola, Vectorlink is strengthening existing institutional structures, and building entomological capacity both nationally and sub nationally. The project provides technical assistance in planning and implementing vector surveillance activities in eight PMI-supported provinces and to the Ministry of Health’s National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) on vector surveillance and control. Part of this work involves helping to increase the size and complexity of entomological monitoring and supervision in Angola. VectorLink is funded by PMI which is led and managed by USAID and co-implemented by CDC and primed by Abt Associates, Inc.

ACTIVITIES

  • Provide technical assistance in strategic planning in vector surveillance and control to Angola’s National Malaria Control Program
  • Assistance in the generation of data with the NMCP for vector control decision-making, and the harmonization of entomological information among partners using the District Health Information System (DHIS2) database
  • Insecticide susceptibility testing of malaria vectors in eight provinces (Huambo, Kwanza Norte, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Uige, and Zaire) during the peak mosquito season
  • Expansion of community-based entomological surveillance using trained local community collectors and municipal brigades in the provinces of Huambo, Luanda and Lunda Norte. On-going engagement of trained entomology brigades to update and sustain their capacity
  • Assistance in developing a molecular laboratory at the National Institute of Health Research (INIS), including technical assistance and procurement of equipment, supplies, and reagents to process mosquitoes
  • Technical assistance and equipment to support insectaries in Huambo and Luanda to support entomological monitoring activities and rearing a susceptible mosquito colony
  •  Development of an improved entomology module for online learning by the Ministry of Health personnel and other stakeholders

ACCOMPLISHMENTS 

  • 30,000 farmers, including 24,000 women, will benefit (directly or indirectly) from new, improved agricultural techniques, which will increase production
  • Integrated Vector Control Strategy and the Insecticide Resistance Monitoring and Management Plan both updated
  • Conducted longitudinal vector bionomics in Huambo province, using community-based entomological surveillance
  • Established sentinel sites for annual insecticide susceptibility monitoring in eight provinces (five PMI-focus provinces: Kwanza Norte, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Uige, and Zaire; and two additional provinces: Huambo and Luanda)
  • Conducted insecticide susceptibility tests in provinces of Lunda Sul, Malange, Uige, Zaire, Kwanza Norte and Luanda
  • Procured supplies, equipment and reagents, and provided technical assistance to set up a molecular laboratory within INIS for molecular processing of mosquitoes in-country
  • Refurbished the Luanda insectary and re-launched an insectary in Huambo for rearing mosquitoes and performing insecticide resistance testing
  • Since 2020 provided entomological data on mosquito species and/or insecticide resistance for PMI-focus and two additional provinces
  • Trained 15 entomologic technicians in mosquito collection, species identification, and resistance testing techniques, and engaged personnel from NMCP municipal entomology brigades in continued capacity development.