E-DRUG: MSF: Full Prescription - better malaria treatment for more people
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Dear all,
I am using the opportunity of this malaria day to refer to the report
published by MSF (OCB) a few months ago, which describes some of the
concrete strategies implemented in the countries where we work to ensure
an increase of patients treated effectively for malaria (a.o.).
These strategies may be summarised as follows:
- ensure availability of ACTs, according to the needs,
- ensure access to the existing health structures, which in widespread
poverty contexts requires the suppression of the financial barriers for
patients and the implementation of free care (for all pathologies, all
costs). Providing diagnosis and ACT for free has shown to be insufficient
in allowing the vulnerable populations to access treatment,
- ensure a proper diagnosis in order to make sure that the patient is
treated for what (s)he is suffering from: ACT in case of malaria, but
another treatment if the patient is suffering from another disease,
- and in contexts where geographical barriers exist, develop a network of
malaria village workers who are trained and supervised to diagnose and
treat positive cases of malaria with ACT.
The "Full Prescription" report (and other related reports):
Do not hesitate in contacting us for further information on these issues.
Warm regards,
Seco Gerard
Advisor, Analysis and Advocacy Unit, Gen Dir.
MSF
Rue Dupré 94
1090 Brussels
Belgium
+32 2 475 36 34 (dir off)
seco.gerard@msf.org