In northern Togo, the effective analysis and use of routine health facility data can be the difference between identifying a rise in malaria cases early or recognizing it only after wards are full and children present with severe disease. For malaria programmes across Africa, health workers’ ability to interpret and act on data directly influences who receives timely care and how outbreaks are managed.
However, many health workers in the region face challenges in analysing routine data due to limited access to practical, context-specific training. When learning resources are not adapted to local languages, culture, or operational realities, data may be collected but remain underutilized for decision-making, reducing the effectiveness of malaria control efforts.
To address this gap, the World Health Organization developed the Malaria: Harnessing the Power of Routine Health Facility Data course, offered in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese on the WHO Academy online learning platform. The blended learning programme emphasizes localization, recognizing that training in a second or third language can hinder comprehension and practical application of complex data analysis skills.
For Dr. Atekpe Payakissim Somiabalo, National Malaria Control Programme Coordinator in Togo, providing training in French was essential. He noted that operational staff must understand the importance of data collection for informed decision-making, particularly in a country where malaria accounted for 30% of outpatient consultations, 9% of hospitalizations, and over 2.18 million cases with 993 deaths in 2024. Localized training enables staff to develop actionable, context-specific plans to improve malaria coverage and programme performance.
In Senegal, NMCP specialist Médoune Ndiop highlighted that accessible training in local languages enhances participants’ understanding and facilitates interaction during analysis exercises, allowing them to interpret data more effectively and apply insights to real-world scenarios. Malaria expert Thibaud de Chevigny emphasized that localization is not optional but foundational. Translation alone is insufficient; courses must reflect local epidemiological data and case studies to make learning relevant and actionable.
This approach is especially critical in Africa, which bears 94% of the global malaria burden. In 2024, the region accounted for 95% of malaria deaths, with three-quarters occurring among children under five. Routine surveillance is the backbone of effective malaria control, particularly amid growing insecticide and drug resistance, climate pressures, and declining funding.
By equipping health workers with contextualized knowledge and practical skills, localized training strengthens data-driven decision-making at the frontline. It empowers healthcare staff to act confidently on surveillance data, enhancing malaria prevention, treatment, and overall programme effectiveness across the region.
