THE WINNING PROGRAM

The extraordinary results to date of Marathon Oil's Bioko Island Malaria Control Project (BIMCP)-an integrated malaria control program implemented in partnership with the Government of Equatorial Guinea-are directly related to its robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan. The plan uses a proven methodology to assess progress, detect and address shortcomings, and evaluate the capacity of the island's healthcare personnel and facilities.

From the very first comprehensive baseline entomological and health assessments to current performance measurement, BIMCP had a framework in place with the right indicators-ranging from biting behavior, insecticide resistance and malaria-related case fatality rate to the percentage of laboratories with Quality Assurance protocols.

The M&E plan, which was executed in partnership with several academic institutions and NGOs, helped to identify emerging constraints and make necessary course corrections. It also highlighted BIMCP's successes, which include a 65 percent reduction in malaria incidence over four years.

CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS

Technology for Real Time Data Analysis
BIMCP uses the most effective technology available to coordinate team members on three continents in real time. On-the-ground data are collected on PDAs, then uploaded to an online GIS database where project partners overseas can analyze it and send critical "early warning" information back to the team in the field.

Use of M&E for Continual Improvement
By evaluating what works in real time, BIMCP has been able to make changes where activities weren't yielding results. In the first year, the team's analysis found that mosquitoes on the island were resistant to the class of pesticide they were using. The pesticide was changed, leading to a 99 percent reduction in the number of infected mosquitoes caught in the home.