Table 5 Provisions for optimising general patient care in the Phase III RTS, S/AS01_E study

• Paediatric care under the supervision of a qualified pediatrician

• Facilitate access to care and cover costs of care

• Clinical training and accreditation programme, with regular subsequent monitoring and evaluation

   ▪ Transport to hospital reimbursement

• Regular meetings of the Patient Care Forum to discuss patient care, vaccine safety, data collection, and management of specific conditions

   ▪ Local field workers to facilitate transportation

• Distribution of WHO Pocket Book of Hospital Care for Children

• Assure access to recommended prevention and treatment approaches:

• Improvements to care delivery that benefit the wider community

   ▪ Bed nets to be distributed during screening process in areas with no bed net access

• Improved infrastructure, wards refurbishment, introduction of new diagnostic techniques (microbiology, X-ray radiology)

   ▪ Where available, normal distribution channels encouraged through information sessions

• Hospital medical notes developed for patient follow up, extended to all admissions

   ▪ Exclude malaria treatments based on drugs with high resistance rates

• Address HIV/AIDS through collaboration with local HIV care delivery facilities

• Local implementation of national recommendations access to voluntary counselling and testing

• Access to highly active antiretroviral paediatric therapy at the local or regional level

• Refer patients to hospitals with more comprehensive facilities when more precise diagnostic techniques or specialized care required