Continuous distribution of ITNs plays a critical role in maintaining protection from malaria by ensuring ongoing availability of ITNs. ITN distribution through routine health services is the most common continuous distribution channel used to date and has been widely used since the 1990s. Now, in potentially resource-constrained environments, continuous distribution channels have become more important and may require developing and strengthening further.
AMP has created an operational guidance resource for improving the planning and implementation of insecticide-treated net (ITN) distribution delivered via routine health services. It focuses on the most common delivery points, antenatal care (ANC), child health clinics and immunization services, and also covers facility-level distribution and outreach clinics that reach populations facing distance-related, physical or socio-economic barriers to accessing facility-based services.
The guidance supports programmes in making pragmatic eligibility and delivery decisions for routine health facility-based ITN distribution. It sets out recommendations designed to address frequent operational weaknesses across key system components, and is intended to be applied when updating plans and developing operational guidance for this distribution channel, including in resource-constrained settings by leveraging existing national malaria programme (NMP) staff and resources. Where relevant, it notes estimated resource needs.
This resource is intended for the Ministry of Health (MoH) and relevant departments and partners, including the NMP, EPI, Maternal and Child Health (MCH) and Primary Health Care (PHC) departments, as well as ITN distribution stakeholders and community leaders. It complements other guidance and tools, including the RBM Partnership to End Malaria (RBM) Health Facility-Based Distribution of ITNs.