Optimizing Strategic Insecticide Resistance Management Planning in Malaria Vectors

Abstract

In the past decade, there has been rapid scale-up of insecticide-based malaria vector con‐ trol in the context of integrated vector management (IVM). But, the continued efficacy of vector control interventions is threatened by the selection of insecticide resistance. Evi‐ dence of insecticide resistance operationally undermining malaria vector control pro‐ grammes is invariably mounting and is resulting in policy changes. Monitoring and management of resistant disease vectors is essential to limit the selection and spread of insecticide resistance and to maintain the effectiveness of vector control. Thus, countries are encouraged to implement pre-emptive insecticide resistance management (IRM) strat‐ egies against malaria vectors according to the Global Plan for IRM. However, substantial challenges for implementation exist at country level. The IVM strategy provides a poten‐ tial platform that could be exploited for enhanced national strategic IRM planning and operationalisation. Nevertheless, significant coordinated response among stakeholders and political commitment is needed for timely and effective policy implementation with‐ in the context of a national health system.