1. Strategies of Engaging Private Sector Providers (PSPs)
Effectively in Malaria Diagnosis with RDT
Research Background
A significant population of Nigerians have access and seeks care
for management of fever from PSPs. In-fact, in many disease-
endemic countries, the majority of febrile episodes are initially
treated by private sector providers (PSPs) as they are easier to
reach, have affordable services and their supply chain systems
usually work better. The private sector hence plays a critical role
in delivering health services across the world—thus, engaging the
private sector is crucial to malaria diagnosis and treatment.
Though private sectors providers seems crucial in the
management of malaria illness in Nigeria, their presence are yet
to be felt due to their limited technical and financial capacity to
manage malaria. A large proportion of private providers have only
limited training in accurate diagnosis and prescribing treatment
which has encourage presumptive treatment and misuse and
overuse of anti-malaria drugs.
There is therefore need to investigate on strategies that will work
in engaging the private sector effectively. Since significant
number of patients seeks malaria related treatment from private
sector providers, engaging PSPs in quality malaria parasitological
diagnosis also means targeting significant number of people with
malaria and non-malaria illness.
This concept paper attempts to explore on five strategies that will
work in engaging private sector providers in Malaria Diagnosis
with RDT.

2. Strategies of Engaging Private Sector Providers Effectively in
Malaria Diagnosis with RDT
Investment in Research and Communicating Research
Result: Private sector providers need to be continuously re-
assured of the quality and sensitivity of mRDT. Investment in
research in mRDT quality will go a long way in reassuring PSPs
that mRDT is working. To a large extent, this will help in
reducing lack of commitment, confidence and disengagement to
mRDT by PSPs. Communicating research result will go a long
way in convincing both PSPs and their clients in accepting the
result of mRDT.
Investment in mRDT Marketing: For PSPs to be fully engaged
in malaria diagnosis with mRDT, affordability and accessibility of
mRDT have to be considered.
Affordability- Due to limited financial capacity of PSPs, the price
of mRDT may be a major determinant of the choice of mRDT.
Subsidizing the price of quality assured mRDT to be fairly the
same to what is obtainable in the open market, can go a long way
in promoting the use of quality assured mRDT among PSPs.
Similarly, providing incentives to PSPs that record high uptake of
quality assured mRDT can be a source of motivation to others to
do more. Providing and implementing promotional plans like “you
buy 10 packs of mRDT and get one pack free” can a long way in
increasing uptake of mRDT among PSPs.
Accessibility- Keying into exiting or local supply chain
mechanism of PSPs can go a long way in enhancing accessibility
of mRDT and in reducing cases of mRDT stock out. For instance
distributing mRDT during association meetings of various PSPs
can help make distribution easier and reduce cost for logistics.
Distributing mRDT via local chairman of various associations can
also enhance accessibility of mRDT.

3. Investment in mRDT Capacity Building: To sustain the
engagement of PSPs in malaria diagnosis with mRDT, there is
need for training and retraining of PSPs. Training will help
enhance the capacities of PSPs to carryout mRDT confidently and
in interpreting the results well. Retraining will help
address/update the knowledge gaps observed among PSPs.
Retraining will also help ensure continuity of mRDT in PSPs
outlets in cases where (i) the persons trained have left or (ii) the
owner has died and the next of kin have interest to continue with
mRDT
Investment in mRDT Demand Creation: To enhance the
engagement of PSPs in malaria diagnosis with mRDT, there is
need for demand creation. This is because, clients’ behaviour
does have a lot of influence on whether PSPs will continue or
discontinue with mRDT. A particular PSP may drop out on mRDT
over reasons that he/she is losing customers due to the result of
mRDT. Therefore demand creation will be needed to promote
positive client behavioural change towards testing with mRDT
before treatment and accepting mRDT result. When there is
demand creation, PSPs will have little work to do in convincing
their clients to accept the result of mRDT.
Investment in Partnership with Government and Other
Stakeholders
Due to the multi-sectorial nature of malaria parasitological
diagnosis with mRDT, there is need for partnership among
stakeholders if PSPs must be engaged effectively. Partnership
will help to leverage on existing resources for the benefit of the
PSPs especially with regard to:
 Funding, providing pricing subsidies and financial
incentives for mRDTs procurement. This will help enhance
availability and use of mRDT to PSPs
 Logistics support and design of distribution mechanisms to
enhance mRDTs supply to PSPs

4.  Enforcing regulatory policies and monitoring the compliance
to use of quality assured mRDTs
Conclusion
This concept paper has demonstrated that to actively engage
PSPs in malaria diagnosis with mRDT, there is need for
investment in research, mRDT marketing, capacity building,
demand creation and partnership.
Concept Paper Prepared By
Emeni Joshua
(SPA, UNITAID Anambra)