Home management of malaria (HMM)
The HMM strategy aims to improve access to malaria diagnosis and treatment near the home.
Prompt, effective, appropriate treatment key
It is vital that treatment starts within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms, to prevent progression to severe malaria or death. A strong health system would provide for reliable diagnosis as the basis for optimal treatment. However, in most malaria-endemic areas, access to curative and diagnostic services is limited. The HMM strategy recognizes the importance of and seeks to improve the effectiveness of self-medication practices.
Latest documents
Complete list of related documents
The HMM strategy
Early recognition of, and prompt and appropriate response (treatment) to malarial illness in children under 5 years of age in the home or community achieved through:
- enabling caretakers to recognize malaria illness early and take the appropriate response;
- ensuring that care providers have adequate knowledge and capacity to respond to febrile illness or malaria; and
- creating an enabling environment to implement the strategy.
The HMM strategic components.
- availability of and access to effective, high-quality, prepacked antimalarial medicines at the community level.
- training of community-based service providers to ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge to manage febrile illness or malaria.
- an effective communication strategy to ensure correct early care-seeking behaviour, and appropriate and effective home care of a febrile illness or malaria.
- a good mechanism for supervision and monitoring of the community activities.
