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Report from Consensus Meeting on use of Rapid Diagnostic Tests for Malaria Case Management in Uganda
Health Systems
Description
Uganda has recently changed its malaria treatment policy to reflect the global policy of shifting from non-artemisinin-based combination therapies. In 2004, the first line treatment for uncomplicated malaria, chloroquine+SP, was replaced with artemether/lumefantrine. Implementation of this new drug policy, commenced in 2005 with health facility deployment of artemether/lumefantrine as a brand called Coartem�. As part of the change in policy the Ministry of Health proposed to increase the emphasis on parasitological diagnosis by introducing malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). The National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) drafted policy guidelines in consultation with stakeholders. To enrich the guidelines on RDT use in Uganda, this meeting was organised to gather consensus on policy recommendations based on local experiences and ongoing research by UMSP, WHO and the Malaria Consortium. It follows a larger meeting organised in February 2007.