Government bent on curbing malaria incidence in Cameroon
24/07/2008
In 2004, Cameroon opted for Artesunate and Amodiaquine Combination in the triple treatment of malaria, following repeated resistance to monotherapy it has known up till then. And the initiative was supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Two years later, Part II of the treatment (i.e. Artemether and Lumefrantine) was introduced, but Cameroonians found it expensive. And door-to-door strategies to curb the disease yielded little fruits.
Last year, 36% of hospital cases and 50% of child deaths were as a result of malaria. At the same time, there was a rupture in supply, while other lapses like undesirable side effects were reported.
The workshop with stakeholders to harmonise strategies for a national study to check malaria is expected to redynamise, redefine and redeploy actions, especially towards pregnant women and keep the roll back malaria exercise afloat by making available medication in health facilities and insecticide treated mosquito nets to households.
The Minister of Public Health, André Mama Fouda, the WHO representative in Cameroon, Dr Leonard T. and the Permanent Secretary of NMCP, Dr. Prosper Ndong said by so doing, one of the Millennium Development Goals of reducing malaria-related deaths by 2010 will be achieved.
