JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Africa-focused project developer Ivanhoe Mines is expanding its Know for Sure campaign, an initiative sponsored by Ivanhoe and China-based gold, copper and nonferrous metals producer Zijin Mining Group to help control malaria in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The project uses mobile smart devices called Deki Readers to help healthworkers conduct and analyse tests, helping them to accurately diagnose malaria, while providing quality, actionable data to the DRC Ministry of Health through an online healthcare management portal.

The expansion will support a 370% increase in the total number of health facilities using Deki Readers, from 54 to 254, by the end of this year. The programme is being conducted in the provinces of Haut-Katanga and Lualaba – two malaria-burdened regions that also host Ivanhoe's Kipushi project and the Ivanhoe-Zijin joint venture Kamoa-Kakula project.

Since its launch in August 2015, the campaign has demonstrated its ability to strengthen the DRC government's capacity to rapidly and reliably confirm whether patients seeking care have malaria, while at the same time gathering a wealth of new information for the Ministry of Health.

Of the 16 962 patients tested in the year to November 21, 49% were negative for malaria, which saved unnecessary presumptive treatment.

Results also revealed that 60% of children under five, with fever, tested positive for malaria – a critical finding that has been shared with government through the online healthcare management portal.

Medical device manufacturer Fio Corporation will provide the technology, while private development company Chemonics International is providing in-field training, services and support.

"Programme funding from Ivanhoe and Zijin has enabled Fio Corporation to install advanced technology in the communities and to generate and deliver critical data that we were not previously able to access," says DRC National Malaria Control Programme provincial coordinator Dr Ghislain Makan.

Despite a significant decrease in malaria cases in recent years, the World Health Organisation reports that the DRC still accounts for the second-highest number of estimated malaria deaths globally.

The disease is responsible for 19% of deaths among children under five in the DRC. However, malaria can be successfully treated when detected early, and accurately.

For the first time, DRC Health Ministry staff are able to remotely monitor, in real time, whether healthcare workers in the field are following testing and treatment protocols. Managers also may view reports on commodity stock, bed-net distribution and test results.

"We invite other interested partners to join the campaign and help us to build on our early achievements. Joining forces is the only way to overcome the shared burden of malaria," says Ivanhoe DRC corporate social initiatives manager Dr Guy Muswil.