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Momodou
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 Posted - 26 Jan 2008 : 16:39:39
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New Malaria Drug Launched
By Isatou Battaye
The National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), in collaboration with the Department of State for Health and Social Welfare, on Wednesday, January 23rd launched a new Malaria treatment drug called Atenisinin Combination Therapy (ACT). The launching Ceremony was held at the Conference Hall of the Department of State for Health and Social Welfare.
In his welcoming remarks the NMCP manager, Mr. Malang Fofana said the launching marks a major turning point in the history of malaria control and prevention in the Gambia. He added that it is the true reflection of the combined efforts of the RBM partnership to fight malaria. Mr. Fofana noted that it is only through effective partnership that a change in anti-malarial policy is possible .This, he said, will enable them to join forces to roll back malaria in the Gambia.
He said malaria cuts across many sectors and needs a multi-sectoral approach to fight it effectively, noting that the Department of state alone cannot combat malaria. He said the Gambia is a signatory to the Abuja Declaration which is committed to providing access to good quality, affordable and efficacious anti-malarial drugs to those at risk of malaria. Mr. Fofana noted that based on evidence and consultation with partners, the Gambia thought it prudent to change from choloroquine to Atemisinin combination Therapy (Lunifantrine plus Artemeter) or Coarrtem, as a first line treatment for uncomplicated malaria.
Also speaking at the launch, the acting Chief Pharmacist, National Pharmaceutical Services, Mrs. Markieu Janneh Kaira, said the new drug, which is a combination of Artemether plus Lumefantrine formulated into one tablet called Coartem, is registered. Mrs. Janneh Kaira said the drug is effective and advised people to use the medicine. She added that the medicine should be used only when prescribed by health workers, the full dose for treatment, she said, must be completed and the treatment should not be shared.
In her statement, the representative of WHO, Mrs. Agnes Quaye, said the WHO provided financial and technical support in drug efficacy studies, which revealed increased chloroquine resistance. Mrs. Quaye added that it is as a result of the evidence of the studies that the Department of State for health requested for technical assistance from WHO to facilitate a change in the drug policy for the treatment of malaria. She said that in response to the request, WHO fielded a consultant to start the process of policy change in the treatment
of malaria. She added that the WHO supported DOSH in the development of case management protocols and guidelines, training of Health Workers in the rational use of the new drug and procurement of the new drug. She emphasized WHO’s continued support in the implementation and monitoring of the new drug policy.
In his launch statement, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Malick Njie, said the Gambia has recorded success in the treatment of malaria, but that despite the successes, malaria still remains a cause for concern in The Gambia. Dr. Njie added that the spread of anti-malarial drug resistance is one of the challenges facing effective malaria control in the world. He said this has been identified as a potent hindrance to the achievement of the set targets aimed at halving the malaria burden by 2010. Dr. Njie noted that to ensure that this trend does not abort the laudable achievements in malaria control in the country, the DOSH has put in place effective mechanisms to monitor parasite resistance to anti-malarial drugs and to use the output to inform treatment policy. He said the policy change has been consented to by the cabinet in February 2007, and procurement and distribution of drugs have also been effected. Dr. Njie added that health worker trainings and community sensitizations on Coartem are also ongoing. He concluded that the policy change is a vital step given the importance of effective malaria treatment.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
No. 11/2008, 25 - 27 January, 2008
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