Case management and Drug policy

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Access to prompt and effective treatment is a key element of the Roll Back Malaria Strategy. It is vital that diagnosis and treatment with effective antimalarials starts within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms, to prevent progression to severe disease or death.

The WHO/AFRO  malaria programme contributes to strengthening malaria case management through providing technical assistance for quality and timely malaria diagnosis and treatment;  monitoring the safety and efficacy of  antimalarials deployed.

Main achievements include the following:

  • Supported countries to adopt the ACT policy; to date all AFRO countries except 2 are deploying the ACT treatment policy.
  • Supported implementation and monitoring  of the new ACT treatment policy in all countries, including supply chain management ,  monitoring safety, efficacy and  drug quality; as well as supervision of health workers and communities.
  • Built capacity for case management in the areas of malaria diagnosis and treatment, drug quantification, supply and stock management.
  • Promoted the rational use of ACTs and follow-up on the ban of monotherapies.
  • Set up sub-regional networks for monitoring antimalarial  treatments that in turn  supported  countries to monitor the efficacy of antimalarials.