Policy of test before treatment for malaria is real

Dr Atsu Seake-Kwawu, Ho Municipal Director of Health, says the national policy that malaria drugs should be dispensed only after clients’ conditions have been confirmed by diagnostic tests, is real.

He conceded though that there are lots of malaria drug dispensing going on, based on random consulting room checks, which are blamed on periodic shortages of the test kits.

Dr Seake-Kwawu was speaking to the Ghana News Agency on the sidelines of a stakeholders meeting on Behavior Change Communication initiative for the promotion of Long-Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINS) and Microscope or Rapid Diagnostic Test for malaria diagnosis held in Ho.

He said besides the shortages, heavy attendance at health facilities could also result in exhausted medical staff dispensing malaria drugs based on symptoms only.

Dr Atsu-Seake said test before treatment is a new era of treating malaria, which would take some time to fully establish.

He said the good news is that policies and programmes on malaria had cut out-patients treated for the disease from 50 per cent 10 years ago to around 23 per cent currently.

The stakeholders meeting was under the aegis of Hope for Future Generations (HFFG), an NGO in health, child welfare and sanitation, operating in the Volta, Western, Brong Ahafo, Central, Greater-Accra and Northern regions.

Rita Lodonu, HFFG Volta Regional Project Officer said the behavioral change project should affect a million people in the Region by the close of the six month project duration in March 2016.

She listed district assemblies, district health management teams and the Ghana Education Service as project stakeholders.

A total of 10 districts in the region are under the scope of the project.

“Through this project, HFFG and its partners hope to reduce the malaria burden among all age groups in targeted communities through increased use of LLINS and approved malaria treatment protocol,” Miss Lodonu stated.

She said the project would also equip healthcare providers and contribute towards the national data base on malaria.

Ms Lodonu said strategies include using the most appropriate communication modes to get to the properly delineated target groups for effect.

Pamela Ofori-Kuma, HFFG Hohoe officer said an important strategy of the project is the involvement of volunteers whose bonding with their people should make the messages easily acceptable.

Stakeholders including traditional authorities from the Ho-Municipality, Adaklu and Ho-West districts attended the meeting.