Indigenous populations; working age men, women, and children, teenagers and general national population. Focus on children under five and pregnant women.

Sueño Seguro Long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets (LLINs) since 2005.

Super Reforzador ITN retreatment since 2000

Sueño Seguro insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) since 2000.

Episodes of malaria averted: 6,000 (explained)

The Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

HIV/AIDS

Malaria

Insecticide-Treated Mosquito Nets
PSI received funding from the British Government's Department for International Development (DFID) in 2000 to socially market insecticide-treated nets (ITN)s in the rainforests of northeastern Bolivia. This project sold Sueño Seguro mosquito nets and Super Reforzador re-treatment kits (to be used every four to six months), a combination that kills mosquitoes that come into contact with the nets. Retreatment has been shown by the World Health Organization to be an effective preventive step against malaria and has no negative side effects on the people sleeping under the nets. To promote ITN retreatment tabs, PSI/Bolivia has revved up its advertising campaign and is using popular moto-scooters to advertise its products.

Long Lasting Insecticide-Treated Nets
During 2006, PSI/Bolivia introduced the country's first long-lasting insecticide treated net (LLIN), which are nets impregnated with a long lasting insect-repelling formula recommended by the World Health Organization. This has been commercialized as a subsidized product using the commercial brand of Sueño Seguro. These nets are distributed to various high-risk populations, among which are the rural communities of chestnut harvest workers, where having a LLIN is now a Ministry of Health (MoH) requirement. Throughout the year, PSI Bolivia has been recognized as a national leader for malaria prevention. The MoH recognized PSI/Bolivia’s contributions to malaria prevention in Beni (one of the two highest endemic departments), as well as the organization’s goals and results achieved and has become a key advocate for PSI/Bolivia.

Child Survival

Vitamin A
Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a direct and underlying driver of significant morbidity and mortality, especially for young children. In 2005, PSI contributed to the positioning of the Oil Fortified with Vitamin A, introducing a unique logo to identify the product. This activity also included informative and promotional material, allowing for improved distribution channels to make fortified oil accessible and available for target population and to achieve the program goal to reduce Vitamin A deficiency in Bolivia. The project's purpose is to support the Micronutrient Initiative, World Food Program (WFP), Ministry of Health (MoH) and national oil producers in their implementation of the Bolivia Oil Fortification Program.

Future Plans

Combating malnutrition
PSI will produce and distribute individual packages of Sprinkles (Chispitas), which is an iron supplement, containing vitamins and minerals to prevent and treat anemia daily and provide the most important micronutrients for Bolivian children between 6-23 months old.

Introducing Repellent
Skin repellents for malaria control will be produced and marketed in Bolivia. Studies show that peak biting times of mosquitoes that transmit malaria are from 6-9 in the evening. PSI will procure a plant-based repellent that has been shown to greatly reduce malaria in combination with an ITN. The repellent will be primarily marketed in rural villages and peri-urban districts in the Bolivian Amazon, where malaria is most prevalent.