Developing Bednet Durability Criteria to Inform Procurement Decisions and Innovation

The Challenge

Globally, malaria is responsible for nearly 700,000 preventable deaths per year.  Long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) have been instrumental in reversing that trend, and have contributed to a 25 percent decline in malaria-related deaths over the past decade. But to achieve universal coverage of LLINs, millions of nets will need to be purchased every year. Due to the high costs associated with universal coverage, donors are asking for more evidence to guide their procurement decisions.

The Opportunity

R4D has been working with bednet suppliers and regulators since 2011 to assess and address market inefficiencies. Our analysis found that nets were being purchased purely on the basis of price, without factoring in quality and durability, which  failed to maximize value for money in LLIN purchasing and supplier incentives to innovate and produce improved nets.

 

Shortcomings of a price-focused procurement system:

While Net B is about 7 percent less expensive than Net A on a cost per year of net life basis, Net B would be considered more expensive in the current unit price–focused tendering system.

 

Now purchasers of bednets are placing greater emphasis on net performance and durability, in addition to price. By focusing “cost per year of net life” instead of the cost per bednet, the global community could save up to $340 million over the next five years while also providing financial incentives for suppliers to develop more durable nets. The challenge is that specifications to evaluate bednet field performance and average net life do not currently exist. R4D is partnering textile experts to change this and to give bednet purchaser the information they desperately need.

Our Work

In partnership with textile strength experts who are developing and testing criteria for LLIN durability, R4D is advocating for this criteria’s adoption to inform global LLIN procurement processes. Commissioned by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, R4D has been collaborating with Tropical Health LLP, an international consultancy that specializes in malaria vector control, and Nonwovens Innovation and Research Institute (NIRI), a University of Leeds spin-out company, to fill the technical gaps required to evaluate the expected field performance of nets. A two-pronged approach is being taken:

  1. Determine the common mechanisms that lead to net damage and formation of holes based on robust collection of used net samples from various geographies and climates: NIRI is carefully analyzing actual causes of net deterioration in the field by applying textile study methods and microscopic examination of more than 500 nets gathered from five countries in Asia and Africa.
  2. Replicate this deterioration in laboratories (i.e. using textile tests) to arrive at criteria that reflect the durability performance of nets: Appropriate test methods will be identified and applied to the nets of manufacturers to assess how different nets are likely to perform over time in the field.

This work is being undertaken in close coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO), and the findings from this study can be used to inform WHO recommendations on LLIN durability. This, in turn, can spur product innovation among manufacturers. The findings can also be used by major donors and countries to enhance value for money in procurement.  R4D is actively engaging with these various stakeholder groups to influence necessary policy changes and invest in creating better, more durable nets.

Topics:

Approaches:

Funders:

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Partners:

World Health Organization, Tropical Health LLP, Nonwovens Innovative and Research Institute (NIRI)

Status:

Open

Global & Regional Initiatives

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