STOP Using Chloroquine, Artesunate For Malaria Treatment – WHO Warn Nigerians

The World Health Organisation had
placed a global ban on the use of
chloroquine and Artesunate in 2005.
Nigerians have been advised against the
use of Chloroquine and Artesunate for
the treatment of malaria.
Nnenna Ezeigwe, National Coordinator,
National Malaria Control Programme,
gave the advice in an interview with the
News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in
Abuja.
She, however, recommended that people
should take only Artemisinin Combination
Therapy, ACTs, when they test positive for
malaria.
“If your test result is positive, take only
Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACTs).
Do not treat malaria with chloroquine,
artesunate or other monotherapies.
“The ACT with green leaf is good quality
and affordable; Ask for it,’’ she said.
When contacted, Adeline Osakwe, Deputy
Director, Pharmacovigilance, Food and
Drugs Information Centre, NAFDAC, said
the use of chloroquine and artesunate in
Nigeria was being gradually phased out.
“Since 2005, the use of monotherapies
such as Artesunate, Chloroquine had
been discouraged in favour of
Aretmisinin Combination Therapy (ACT)
for uncomplicated malaria.
“These ACTs include Arthemeter/
Lumenfantrine, Artesunate/Amodiaquine,
and other registered ones. Ms. Osakwe
said that the monotherapies are gradually
being phased out by not registering new
ones and not renewing those that their
licenses had expired.”
The World Health Organisation, WHO, had
placed a global ban on the use of
chloroquine and Artesunate in 2005.
Speaking on the World Malaria Day
celebration, Ms. Ezeigwe advised
pregnant women to register early for
ante-natal care in order to receive
preventive treatment against the disease.
“Expectant mothers should demand for
preventive treatment, `Intermittent
Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy (IPTp)’
during ante-natal visits from 16 weeks of
pregnancy,’’ she said.
She said that the Federal Government and
Roll Back Malaria partners had over the
last decade committed huge resources to
ensure that malaria was brought under
control.
She said that the efforts had led to a
reduction in malaria prevalence by more
than eight per cent, adding that much
more needed to be done.
Ms. Ezeigwe called on the private sector,
the media, and the academia to play
active roles in the fight against Malaria.
“It is only working together that we can
end the needless suffering and deaths
caused by Malaria.
“Keep your environment clean and free of
puddles, and always sleep inside long
lasting insecticide treated nets.
“Wear protective clothing against
mosquitoes when necessary, and always
get tested before you treat for Malaria,’’
she said.
Source - NAN