CDC in Mali

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) office in Mali was established in 1995. CDC-Mali works with the Malian government, local partners, and other U.S. government agencies to reduce HIV, malaria, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and neglected tropical diseases and their impact on individuals, families, and communities. CDC-Mali assists the government in strengthening information systems, integrating comprehensive laboratory services nationwide, responding to public health emergencies and epidemics, developing tools for STI treatment and laboratory quality control, and conducting surveillance, surveys, and studies.

PEPFAR: HIV/AIDS and Health Systems Strengthening
With PEPFAR funding, CDC-Mali works closely with partners, including the Ministry of Health, to strengthen laboratory capacity through training and quality assurance, HIV/sexually transmitted infections (STI) prevention and treatment, voluntary counseling and testing services for vulnerable groups, child survival activities, epidemiological studies, and HIV surveillance. CDC- Mali strives to improve laboratory capacity and quality, enhance strategic information systems, and strengthen health systems management. CDC-Mali also conducts qualitative research to identify the most at-risk populations and designs appropriate interventions to reach them. CDC-Mali provides technical assistance to the National Institute for Public Health Research and regional and district level laboratories that conduct STI and HIV testing. In 2010, CDC will begin direct support for increased access to a safe blood supply.

Field Epidemiology Laboratory and Training Program
The West Africa Field Epidemiology Laboratory Training program was established in December 2007 to strengthen surveillance, outbreak investigation, and response efforts in French speaking countries in West Africa. In Mali, the two-year program trains leaders in field epidemiology and public health laboratory practice, and provides epidemiological services to national and sub-national health authorities. This specialized training program improves public health systems within the country by increasing knowledge and skills and building a cadre of skilled and well-trained health professionals in Mali.

Sexually Transmitted Infections Prevention
Since 1999, CDC-Mali has worked closely with the government of Mali to help implement and evaluate sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV prevention efforts. CDC has provided substantial technical and some financial support for the development of surveillance systems and new prevention interventions for high risk persons, the development and promotion of quality control and assurance strategies, and training on laboratory, surveillance, and prevention counseling. CDC-Mali has helped the Malian government revise and evaluate its national STI treatment guidelines and has developed a new Public Health Evaluation to promote the integration of HIV and STI services during antenatal care. In 2009-10, several antenatal clinics completed an evaluation on incorporating rapid syphilis testing into low-level antenatal clinics.

President’s Malaria Initiative
CDC jointly manages President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) activities with USAID and helps design PMI technical and programmatic strategies. A CDC PMI resident advisor provides technical assistance that focuses on malaria case management and monitoring and evaluation of program activities. CDC also provides entomological support for PMI activities including operational research on larviciding and entomological monitoring of indoor residual spraying.

Neglected Tropical Diseases
CDC developed and evaluated a new way to map Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Mali. In collaboration with the Malian Ministry of Health, an integrated mapping protocol was tested in Banamba district, where 5 NTDs are believed to be endemic. The new protocol is easier and faster to implement – using fewer personnel, vehicles and time – than the previous non-integrated method. It is also more practical since a central testing site is established in each village and provides more precise results for schistosomiasis treatment, making it possible to more efficiently distribute medication by targeting highly-endemic, at-risk zones for schistosomiasis.

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