We can stop the spread of drug-resistant malaria. It's possible - and we're working on it.

– Fifi Sabang, Myanmar-Thailand Country Director

Toward a self-reliant future

Alight recognizes the importance of not only providing much-needed malaria diagnosis and treatment, but helping communities towards self-reliance. We focus our efforts in capacity building by training local staff on service delivery, health management information systems, supply chain management, leadership, and governance. We also work closely with local community based organizations, helping them to conduct malaria prevention campaigns and to provide health care services. Strengthening infrastructures, we are building Myanmar’s defenses against present and future outbreaks.

Co-creating a solution

In January 2013, Alight began working with the Myanmar government and local ethnic organizations to co-create a 5-year plan intended to stop the spread of drug-resistant malaria. Since then, we’ve been making huge strides in collaborating with these agencies.

We’ve reached previously uncovered regions in Myanmar with malaria diagnosis services, education campaigns on malaria prevention, and insecticide-treated mosquito nets. Community based organizations have been crucial to helping us access these affected communities, and we have worked closely with local ethnic leaders to shape the most effective strategies to reach them.

A Shared Border

One of the most critical fights in the battle against drug-resistant malaria can be found at the border of Thailand and Myanmar, where high volumes of migrant workers travel between the countries. We currently offer services at 14 border points where we diagnose and treat these workers, helping to contain the disease and promote education. These outposts are like lemonade stands in the jungle, each one at accessible points where migrants can stop for quick, convenient checks.

Before they leave, we provide them with an insecticide treated mosquito net, a highly effective tool in preventing malaria. We also learn as much about them as we can. If we understand health behaviors and how people are accessing services, we can better respond to, treat, and prevent further spread of the disease.