RBM Intensifies Action Toward Malaria Eradication

Experts are currently meeting in Accra on the Annual world control workshop in finding solutions in eradicating malaria.

Representatives from various Africa countries, europe and the US, the ministry of health of Ghana and other key stakeholders are expected to address the gathering on management of severe malaria across all levels of the health service.

Ghana accounts for
2.2% of global malaria cases and deaths, and 2% of global malaria deaths, Ghana is among the 15 highest burden malaria countries in the world. It accounts for 4% of malaria cases in West Africa.

Between 2020–2021, however, Ghana made significant progress in malaria control – cases remained stable at 165 cases per 1000 of the population at risk – although deaths fell slightly by 1.7% (from 0.39 to 0.38 per 1000 of the population at risk over the same period).

To reduce the burden of malaria in the country, the high burden, high impact approach was introduced in Ghana in November 2019.

In his address, Mr. Andrew Saibu, Africa Regioinal Co-ordinator (Engagement Manager) who doubles as
IVCC/TT3 Co chair charged participants to identify the challenges, barriers, and facilitators to the effective management of severe malaria in Africa, also tackle on a key challenge in the limited awareness of updated guidelines and strategic documents among frontline health workers leading to the misuse of non-recommended medications like α-β-arteether.

Further to this, Saibu made mention of the fact on the need to ensure appropriate treatments during pregnancy and the adoption of the WHO directive on the use of rectal artesunate must be highlighted.

He added that to address these issues, innovative dissemination channels for guideline awareness must be recommended and collaboration with professional organizations to enrich training materials emphasized.

In the malaria eradication forum, areas for improvement considered the processes involved in severe malaria management, with insufficient coordination among government agencies inadequate referral linkages and inadequate human resources identified as barriers were discussed.

Also Recommendations focused on practical measures to minimize wastage of injectable artesunate, enhance data management through scaling up electronic medical records, and strengthen referral systems.

The extension of severe malaria surveillance to patients older than 5 years was also proposed. To deliver these changes, actionable plans for sustained recruitment and training are needed, as well as committed advocacy at all levels to ensure timely fund disbursement and institutional support.

A key overarching theme from the workshop was that a multifaceted approach was needed to address severe malaria in Africa emphasizing collaborative efforts, evidence-based practices, and strategic resource allocation.

With the largest malaria burden globally, the potential impact of addressing the challenges of severe malaria management in the continent
cannot be understand and must urgently be address.

source frank owusu obimpeh