Gave an overview of the malaria situation in Nigeria
DTET Studies
Need to distribute the new malaria policy booklet widely
Dr Ekanem
Mosquito is the most dangerous animal-Guinness book of records
Transmission of the parasite is the most important factor in malaria
Malaria in Nigeria is different from that in South east Asia
Transmission rate is so high and not comparable with any where in the world
Eradication of malaria will therefore require reduction of transmission by 99.9%
No method yet to eradicate malaria IN Nigeria
RBM is the best approach
But awareness to the new policy needs to be improved
Mrs Keri (NAFDAC)
NAFDAC has been part of RBM since inception
SP now reserved for IPT
Stopped the advertisement of artesunate only products, review of adverts for SP for uncomplicated malaria
Employs all to send in ADR with AA
Dr Esomeme
Compliance to Coartem poor
People prefer to take only artesunate in co-package due to the side effects of amodiaquine
FDC preferable because it enhance compliance
Affordability of ACT remains an issue
ACT needs to be included in NHIS
Dr Afolabi
Vulnerable groups for malaria are children under 5 and pregnant women
Aim of IPT is to ensure safe pregnancy especially during 1st and 2nd pregnacy
FDC should not be oral alone-need for rectal routes
Drug should ensure the following:
Efficacy
Decrease in parasite biomass
Rapid resolution of symptoms
Effectiveness
Cost effective
Malaria closely associated with ARI in children with helminthiasis
Malaria not easily diagnosed ,often confused in hospitals with Septicaemia and in the community with typhoid fever
Mrs Bright
Advocated the inclusion of environmental measures in malaria management
Seeks alternative to SP in IPT
Pharmacotherapy (chemotherapy+pharmaceutical cure+drug counselling+PMV +Patient monitoring) should be employed
Baseline LFT before therapy wit ACT
CQ should be allowed
WHO guidelines are for adaptation to specific countries needs
Prophylaxis for immigrant/travelling population
Safest drug for vulnerable groups not yet identified
Flexibility in Govt policies regarding malaria.
COMMENTS
PROF SALAKO:
Primaquine has no place in malaria treatment in Nigeria
Assumption is that most pregnant women do not register or come to antenatal during 1st trimester and thus the fear of taking SP during 1st trimester not much
