Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://solomonstarnews.com/index.ph...view&id=1210&change=71&changeown=78&Itemid=26
New malaria drug to be introduced here
Saturday, 26 April 2008
THE Ministry of Health has announced this week the introduction of a new Malaria drug which will soon be prescribed for patients infected with malaria.
The drug called Coartem is expected to be introduced this year.
The introduction of the new drug will help address the growing problem of resistance to the existing malaria drugs - Chloroquine and Fansider, among a large number of patients.
Deputy Director for Vector Borne Disease Control Program (VBDCP), Leonard Boaz said the new drug is a combination of two tablets.
"Patients will be required to take the drug twice a day after 8 hours for three days," he explained.
He told Government Communications Unit that the tablets will initially be introduced in Guadalcanal Province and Honiara City.
A nation wide distribution program will commence when are larger consignment arrives.
Mr Boaz said nurses and health workers will undergo training soon to enhance their knowledge on drug prescription before going out to the provinces.
Aid donors including AusAID, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Global Fund against TB and Malaria (GFATM) have supported the Solomon Islands government in efforts to reduce malaria infections in the country.
New malaria drug to be introduced here
Saturday, 26 April 2008
THE Ministry of Health has announced this week the introduction of a new Malaria drug which will soon be prescribed for patients infected with malaria.
The drug called Coartem is expected to be introduced this year.
The introduction of the new drug will help address the growing problem of resistance to the existing malaria drugs - Chloroquine and Fansider, among a large number of patients.
Deputy Director for Vector Borne Disease Control Program (VBDCP), Leonard Boaz said the new drug is a combination of two tablets.
"Patients will be required to take the drug twice a day after 8 hours for three days," he explained.
He told Government Communications Unit that the tablets will initially be introduced in Guadalcanal Province and Honiara City.
A nation wide distribution program will commence when are larger consignment arrives.
Mr Boaz said nurses and health workers will undergo training soon to enhance their knowledge on drug prescription before going out to the provinces.
Aid donors including AusAID, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Global Fund against TB and Malaria (GFATM) have supported the Solomon Islands government in efforts to reduce malaria infections in the country.