Training of Trainers in Malaria Microscopy in Myanmar

[jmyap]

The opening ceremony was held last September 15, 2009 at the Department of Medical Research (Pyin Oo Lwin-Upper Myanmar). It was attended by the different directors from the host Institute, Malaria Control Program and the 16 participants from the different state/ township of the country. The training proper started right after the opening ceremony with the breaking of the ice facilitated by Mr. Sherwin Galit and Ms. Arlene Santiago with a relax atmosphere where participants made their introduction as to their place of assignment, years of service from the present work, supervisory responsibilities and job description. The duration of the training started from September 16-October 2, 2009.

Course orientation was delivered by Dr. John Storey with the emphasis on a hands-on participatory training in a small group of four persons. Much emphasis was placed on the needs of leadership and cooperation skills within the group and timetable was flexible to allow for the different technical and English language level. The course design and training materials were prepared (lecture presentations, were translated into Myanmar language).

WHO Learners, Tutors Guide Bench Aids and Quality assurance manual were given to the participants which served as a reference for the daily exercises. Well-characterized slides and PCR confirmed Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale were made available for the demonstration and spot test. These slides were validated by 3 microscopists from the Philippines classified as “experts” based on the External Quality Assessment conducted by WHO-WPRO in collaboration with the
Asian Collaborative Training Network for Malaria (ACTMalaria).

Course Objectives:
Design, plan and implement training at province and national levels using a syllabus based on the trainees “job
description’.

Strengthen knowledge, skill and attitudes in : Instructional and Course Design. Syllabus selection, justification and content.

Lesson planning and teaching.

Monitoring and evaluation.

Presentation, Discussion and Group Facilitation. Be familiar with the Quality Assurance methods included in current Giemsa microscopy, including the training aspects.

Explain the importance of QA in your routine microscopy.

Plan a training programme in Basic Giemsa Malaria Microscopy as part of the National Malaria Control Programme activities.