Understanding and adhering to national policy and international guidelines

International guidelines for malaria control are developed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Links to their guidelines for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, communications, surveillance and monitoring and evaluation aspects of malaria control programmes are included in the additional resources section.

National malaria control programmes use these international guidelines to develop their own national malaria policies and strategies for malaria control within their country. These typically include detailed guidelines for prevention approaches that should be supported, diagnosis approaches to be used, and treatment guidelines for uncomplicated and severe malaria of different types and in different patient categories. These detailed national guidelines often include specific instructions for variation within the country depending on epidemiology and context.

All malaria control activities should adhere to international guidelines. In addition, it is good practice to adhere to national guidelines. These should almost certainly be adhered to where community-wide activities are undertaken, and should generally also be adhered to for interventions targeting employees, unless there are compelling reasons otherwise.

Reasons for adhering to national guidelines include:

• Improving the likelihood that activities will be sustainable by building capacity relating to national approaches in the local health system or local organizations.
• Improving the likelihood that company activities can be used to leverage additional or continuing funding from the government or other regional donors.
• Responsibility to support the goals and plans of the host government.

Compelling reasons to veer from national guidelines when considering employee health may include:

• If national policies are not in-line with international best practice.
• If national policies are based on a context of insufficient funding, and the company is able to commit to supporting higher cost but more effective interventions.

Examples of successful industry malaria control programmes
Sources of technical support and advice

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