Nigerians have been advised against the use of chloroquine and
artesunate for the treatment of malaria.
Mrs Nnenna Ezeigwe, National Coordinator, National Malaria Control
Programme, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria
(NAN) 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.
Contacted, Mrs Adeline Osakwe, Deputy Director, Pharmacovigilance, Food
and Drugs Information Centre of the National Agency for Food and Administration
and Control (NAFDAC), said the use of chloroquine and artesunate in Nigeria was
being gradually phased out.
“Since 2005, the use of monotherapies such as artesunate and 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.
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, 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.
Ezeigwe called on the private sector, the media and the academia to play
active roles in the fight against the 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.