Mobile Soak Pit in Mali. Credit: USAID

Recent innovations around Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) in Mali have propelled the country forward in the fight against malaria. The disease is endemic in the central and southern regions of the country, where more than 90 percent of Mali’s population live. Since 2008, the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) has supported IRS campaigns in the districts of Koulikoro and Bla, adding the district of Baraoueli in 2011. Due to resistance among mosquitoes to the carbamate insecticide class, a switch to organophosphates (Actellic CS) was made for the 2015 IRS campaign. Due to the higher cost of this insecticide, only Koulikoro and Baraoueli districts were sprayed in 2015. In order to continue spray operations in these two districts and potentially spray in Bla District once again, PMI’s Africa Indoor Residual Spraying (AIRS) program is exploring cost-saving innovations. These include the creation of an “Insectary in a Box“, the use of mobile soak pits, “Taxini” services, insecticide recycling, an electronic inventory management system, and an SMS form of payment for staff (see below):

 

 

Mobile Soak Pits
In 2014, PMI piloted the use of mobile soak pits in remote areas around Mali to increase efficiency and improve environmental safety. In the 2015 IRS campaign, mobile soak pits have enabled spray operators to clean up immediately after completion of daily spraying, rather than having to travel with insecticides to a central location for disposal and washing. This not only limits the spray operators’ exposure to insecticide, but also provides operational flexibility and reduces construction and labor costs.

A “Taxini” service in Mali.

“Taxini” Services

Renting “Taxini” services (motorbikes with connected carts) in Mali has reduced both fuel and vehicle rental costs for the 2015 IRS campaign. Instead of renting minibuses, pick-up trucks, and other large vehicles, the Taxini service can transport up to 10 people and provides significant cost savings for the country program. Mali plans to replace 22 vehicles with rented Taxinis for the 2015 IRS campaign, translating in approximate savings of US$33,500.

A man holding power line conductor material that was produced from recycled pesticide bottles.

In-Country Insecticide Recycling
After IRS campaigns, depending on the type of waste that is generated, the remaining product is incinerated, landfilled, or recycled. In Mali, PMI’s Environmental Compliance Officer and a representative of the Environmental Ministry have identified a local company that is recycling the left over pesticide bottles into overhead power line conductor material. This recycling effort not only supports local business, but also reduces the costs associated with the disposal and transport of empty bottles across country borders.

A screenshot of the Electronic Inventory Management System.

Electronic Inventory Management System
Mali’s IRS program is leading the way in “real time” inventory record keeping through the use of an electronic inventory management system, which was established in two district warehouses in 2013. Storekeepers at IRS operation sites text on the mobile phones “real time” information on inventory stock levels to district warehouse storekeepers. This information is then updated in the central system. This electronic inventory tracking system not only saves time, reduces errors, and keeps records up-to-date, but also it benefits IRS campaigns by positioning storekeepers to navigate unexpected changes in stock quickly.

In Mali, an IRS worker checks his mobile phone for his SMS payment.

SMS Payment of Seasonal Field Staff
In partnership with Orange and Ecobank’s mobile money transfer service, PMI has set up payment of seasonal spray operator staff in the field through money transfers over a mobile phone device. This method of payment has proven effective and reduces security risks related to staff having to transport large amounts of money to the field to pay employees. In addition, the convenience and ease of use of the mobile technology service not only introduces spray operators to basic financial services, but also enhances economic activity and growth for the country. With plans to be rolled out in several other African countries within the next year, this mobile money transfer service has the potential for implementation in other countries where PMI supports IRS activities.