Malaria treatment and morbidity surveillance during the rainy season Passive surveillance for malaria was maintained throughout the transmission season. VHW were instructed to treat febrile illnesses suggestive of malaria with coartem . Parents/guardians were encouraged to take their child to the VHW at any time the child became unwell. One field worker was attached to 2-3 village health workers during the surveillance period. The role of the field worker was to prepare a thick blood film from children scheduled for treatment by the VHW with coartem for subsequent confirmation of the diagnosis. VHWs were asked to keep records of children treated for malaria. In addition, they were asked to refer children who failed to improve on treatment and those with danger signs to the nearest health centre or AFPRC Hospital for further evaluation and management.