Malaria
Mission, Objective, Achievements and Aims of the Malaria Control Programme
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Aug 11, 2006, 10:56

ACHIEVEMENT

 

On April 25, 2000, a summit was held in Abuja Nigeria. It brought together heads of states and their representative from 44 malaria endemic countries to discuss the problem of malaria and find ways of intensifying the fight against malaria. Sierra Leone is a signatory to the Abuja summit.

 

As an outcome of the summit, they came up with a plan of action in which they set themselves a target to be achieved by 2005. 

 The target sets were:

1)   pregnant women and 60% of children under five should sleep under insecticide treated nets

2)   60% of all those affected by malaria should have prompt, appropriate and affordable treatment within twenty-four hours of the onset of their symptoms.

3)   60% of pregnant women should be provided with intermitted preventive treatment by the end of 2005

4)   The second of April every year should be celebrated as ‘Africa Malaria Day’

5)   Remove or wave taxes on mosquito nets, insecticides and anti-malaria drugs.

 

Since the Abuja Summit in 2000, the following has been achieved:

  • Launching of Roll Back Malaria in Sierra Leone by the Honorable Vice President in July 12, 2002.
  • Formation of Roll Back Malaria Task Force that meets on regular basis. This task force provides technical support to the Programme. It comprises of the MOHS personnel, NGOs (both local and international), donor agencies, private sector and community participation.
  • Conduction of desk top review in 2003 and situational analysis in 2004. This formed the basis for the development of a five-year National Strategic Plan for malaria control in Sierra Leone from 2004-2008.
  • Conduction of multi site drug efficacy studies in six districts by the MOHS. This was done in collaboration with the Ministry’s partners. Result of this study showed a high level of resistant of more than 39% to chloroquine.
  • Consencious building meeting in 2004 to present and discuss the results of the drug efficacy studies. A consention was reached that due to the level of resistance of chloroquine, it should no longer be used for treatment of uncomplicated malaria. A combination of Artesunate plus Amodiaquine was recommended for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria. Quinine should be reserved for the treatment of severe malaria while Fancida should be used as Intermitted Prevention Treatment (IPT) for the prevention malaria in pregnant women. This should be provided during pregnancy as Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) in health facilities or during antenatal clinic.
  • Conduction of pilot implementation studies in two districts on new combination therapy.
    Review of training manual on malaria case management.
  • Conduction of Training of Trainers case management of district health team leaders in all thirteen districts including training institutions (twenty-six TOTs sessions were trained).
    Cascade trainings were conducted in Bombali, Koinadugu, Kono and Pujehun Districts. There are also plans to conduct further trainings in other districts. 
  • Distribution of free insecticide treated nets to under-five children and lactating mothers. Over 400 thousand insecticide treated nets have been distributed nationwide, linking it up with immunization and antenatal visits.
  • Provision of a new Ante Malaria Drug Act. The drugs are to be free of cost in public health facilities to under-five children and pregnant women.
  • Introduction of a social marketing programme for sale of long lasting insecticide treated nets within the private sector. This is to address the need of other groups of people not catered for under the Government Policy for Vulnerable Groups. Several outlets for the sale of these insecticide treated nets have been established in the different districts. This includes pharmacies, drug stores etc. It should be sold at a minimal cost.
  • Creation of a budget line for malaria control in the MOHS. Through this budget, funds are provided by the Government for implementation of planned activities.
  • Mobilization of additional resources from the Sierra Leone Government, Global Fund, UNICEF and World Bank through the Health Sector Reconstruction and Development Project (HSRDP).
  • European Union and WHO ensured the removal of taxes and tariffs on insecticide treated nets and ante malaria drugs.
  • Sensitization of health personnel and communities on various topics on malaria through radio, television, workshops and meetings.

FUTURE PLANS

Over a million bed nets will be distributed by the end of this year through an integrated Measles and Malaria Campaign in November. This would be done with the support of the Canadian Red Cross who in addition to Global Fund is providing One Hundred and Ninety One Thousand bed nets.

 

These are currently being distributed in the districts; thirty thousand nets from the European Union and two hundred and thirty four thousand nets from UNICEF.

 

The Programme's head office is located within the Medical Stores premises in New England, Freetown.

 



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