- The Gambia’s health officials have disclosed the availability of the new anti-malaria drug [coartem] in the country.
Coartem is combination of artemether and lumegentrin and has 100% efficacy of eliminating malaria parasite from the victim’s system.
The introduction of coartem followed the ineffectiveness of chloroquine, the amendment of the malaria policy treatment and consultations of health experts.
Malaria has been declared a major killer disease among children and pregnant women in The Gambia. It kills at least 2,000 children every year and represents over 50% of clinical cases.
The killer disease is seasonal in the country with highest risk from May to September.
National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) officials briefed journalists at a day’s forum about the urgent need for the introduction of the new drug. They said many African countries have started using coartem to combat malaria.
The Deputy Programme Manager, Adam Jagne-Sonko, attributed chloroquine resistance among many Gambians to their failure to abide by the strict treatment procedure.
“The new drug is very effective for malaria treatment, but it is not meant for pregnant women and children under five years,” Jagne-Sonko said. It is available at all public health facilities at a minimal price.
Gambian health experts said the change of attitude towards malaria treatment will help combat malaria drug resistance.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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