Abstract
Malaria continues to be a serious public health threat in Cambodia, exacerbated by the development of resistance to artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) by P. falciparum. It is estimated about 15% of the population are at risk with about 500,000 persons living in endemic areas of high malaria transmission. The National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) provides leadership to the malaria programs in Cambodia in close collaboration with both local and international partners. The Malaria Control in Cambodia Project (MCC) was a project of USAID/Regional Development Mission Asia managed by University Research Co. LLC (URC), with assistance from a subcontractor, Partners for Development (PfD). This four year project had a budget of US $3,550,000. Designed to enhance the NMCP activities, the MCC provided extensive technical assistance in addition to financial and in-kind support to the public health system to improve diagnosis and treatment. In addition, MCC educated the communities about malaria prevention, control and appropriate health seeking behaviors in five operational districts in four border provinces adjacent to Thailand: Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Oddar Meanchey and Pailin. The main purpose of this evaluation is to assess the performance of the MCC project and its impact. The evaluation is intended to provide insights and important feedback to each of the partners and stakeholders that should assist them to understand both the strengths and areas where technical, administrative and management efforts could be improved. It will also provide information for future malaria control programs and projects so they can learn from the MCC experience. The evaluation report includes key findings from an analysis of project design and implementation, genderal considerations, conclusions and recommendations. (Excerpt, modified)