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Dr. Kinley Wangdi is PhD student at RSPH. He undertook medical training from Institute of Medicine (I), Yangon, Myanmar. After graduation he worked as a Medical Officer in Bhutan for five years. He also has a Master’s degree from Mahidol University, Faculty of Tropical Medicine with a major in Epidemiology. His area of interests are application of geo-spatial tools in addressing public health issues with special interest in vector-borne diseases.

Abstract

Bhutan is one of the 30 countries with a stated goal of malaria elimination. Malaria is reported in seven southern districts of Bhutan bordering India. The aims of this study were to assess Bhutan's elimination progress and identify potential challenges to achieving this national goal. The study involved carrying out field surveys, analyzing secondary data from the Vector-borne Disease Control Programme data suppositories, and developing an operational tool, namely spatial decision support system (SDSS), and piloting it in selected districts for intervention activities and surveillance. The utility and acceptability of SDSS was assessed through in-depth interview with the national and district malaria programme officials, and field workers.