World Health Organization issues guidelines for malaria treatment

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) – New guidelines for malaria treatment were issued Tuesday by the United Nations (UN) World Health Organization (WHO).

This is the first time the agency releases guidance for effectively and safely applying medical treatment for malaria. They also advised that the use of ACTs, artemisinin-based combination therapy, may become ineffective if not accurately employed.

Every year, there are approximately 250 million new malaria cases, causing the deaths of roughly 860,000. Despite the overwhelming majority of victims being from Africa, half the world’s population is at risk. 50 million pregnant women in Africa are affected every year, which yearly produce 10 percent of all maternal mortalities.

WHO has emphasized the correct diagnostic testing in malaria suspected cases, avoiding any treatment based on symptoms alone, with the exception of areas where clinical diagnosis is unavailable.

Rapid Diagnostic Tests have recently been developed, which can gradually replace microscopy. These tests use a dip stick and a drop of blood, reliably finding malaria parasites in the blood. Universal diagnostic testing will assure that the only those who actually have malaria will be using ACTs. WHO also cautioned about low-quality medicines in the existing market that not only damage health services’ credibility, but can also intensify drug resistance.

This is an important step in order to reduce the spread of drug resistance, simultaneously decreasing childhood illness and increasing child survival.

“These guidelines will help countries select and procure effective medicines of good quality and save lives by improving the way patients are diagnosed and treated,” said George Ki-Zerbo, Malaria Program Manager at the WHO Regional Office for Africa, located in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.

Last month heads of State representing 26 nations gathered in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, addressing the continent’s challenge in controlling malaria. The first working session of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance during the annual African Union summit provides a forum to ensure efficient procurement, distribution, and utilization of malaria control interventions. It also facilitates the sharing of effective malaria control practices and ensures malaria remains high on the global political agenda.

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