Malaria has long been a deadly disease, claiming millions of lives worldwide. It continues to be the leading cause of death among children and is alarmingly becoming resistant to certain medications. This challenge has driven scientists to develop new and more effective treatments for this life-threatening illness.
This article will explore these innovative drugs and methods for combating malaria. Every year, millions of people globally contract malaria, and nearly half a million, mostly children, succumb to the disease. Malaria is diagnosed primarily through blood tests. Although several medicines are available for treatment, Plasmodium parasites are increasingly developing resistance to these drugs.
Malaria is not a contagious disease and cannot be passed directly from one person to another. It is transmitted through the bites of female Anopheles mosquitoes. If not diagnosed and treated promptly, malaria can be deadly and result in the victim’s death.
Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) involves the use of two or more distinct drugs that target the malaria parasite through multiple mechanisms.
This approach ensures that the parasite is attacked from various angles, reducing its ability to survive and develop resistance. ACT is considered the most effective and commonly recommended treatment for malaria cases where the parasite has developed resistance to chloroquine, a drug previously relied upon for treatment.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also approved Arakoda, which contains 100 milligrams of tafenoquine per tablet, as a preventive measure against malaria. This medication is specifically designed for individuals aged 18 and older who are at risk of contracting malaria.
Arakoda offers protection against all species of the Plasmodium parasite, which are responsible for causing malaria, and can be used in any region where malaria is prevalent. It serves as a reliable option for malaria prophylaxis, helping to prevent infection before it occurs.
Another significant development in malaria treatment is Krintafel, which also contains tafenoquine. This medication is particularly focused on preventing the recurrence of malaria caused by the Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) species. Patients infected with P. vivax often experience repeated relapses due to dormant parasites in the liver, a challenge that Krintafel aims to address.
Traditionally, treating P. vivax infections required a 10-day regimen of medication, which many patients found difficult to complete, leading to incomplete treatment and subsequent malaria recurrence. Krintafel simplifies this process by providing an effective alternative for relapse prevention.
In severe cases of malaria, where rapid intervention is crucial, blood exchange transfusion may be considered the most effective treatment. This procedure involves simultaneously removing infected blood from the patient while transfusing healthy blood from a donor.
Scientists have introduced a novel vaccination method for malaria by using mosquito bites to deliver a genetically modified version of the malaria-causing parasite. In a recent trial, this strategy decreased participants’ vulnerability to the disease, offering promise for developing more effective malaria prevention techniques.
This exchange helps to quickly reduce the parasite load in the patient’s bloodstream, providing immediate relief. Alongside this procedure, the patient receives antimalarial medications to fully address the underlying infection and ensure recovery. This method is reserved for critical cases where traditional treatments alone may not suffice.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved a second malaria vaccine, known as R21, to safeguard children from the deadly disease that claimed 619,000 lives in 2021.
Can Nigeria ever be Malaria Free?
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, bears the highest malaria burden on the continent and globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malaria recently caused over 200,000 deaths in the country. The U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative for States (PMI-S), managed by USAID, underscores the collaborative effort required to achieve a malaria-free Nigeria.
PMI-S operates in eight states — Akwa Ibom, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Oyo, Plateau, and Zamfara — and collaborates with health officials at various levels to improve service quality and access, thereby reducing maternal and under-five mortality rates. Here are five key ways USAID is contributing to malaria eradication in Nigeria through PMI-S.
1. Enhancing Skills for Quality Malaria Services.
PMI-S strengthens state malaria elimination programs and primary health care agencies by supporting peer-led and cascade training approaches. Local health teams, trained by PMI-S, pass on their knowledge to frontline health workers, enhancing the delivery of quality malaria services.
2.Promoting Evidence-Based Decision Making.
To guide malaria control strategies, PMI-S supports the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP) and State Malaria Elimination Programs (SMEPs) in using data to assess malaria prevalence and program effectiveness. This data-driven approach aids national and state stakeholders in making informed decisions about resource allocation.
3. Improving Strategic Documentation for Health Systems Strengthening.
In 2019, PMI-S collaborated with NMEP to enhance coordination and information sharing among malaria stakeholders. They established a centralized platform for archiving strategic documents, making them easily accessible to program implementers, district health directors, and NGOs.
4. Ensuring Steady Malaria Commodity Supply.
PMI-S trains healthcare providers to monitor the use and availability of malaria treatment commodities, helping to prevent stockouts in health facilities. By comparing data on commodity consumption and needs across health centers, the program encourages sustainable supply chain practices.
5. Advancing Maternal and Child Health Through Malaria Prevention
PMI-S works with SMEPs and hospital management boards to provide malaria prophylaxis for pregnant women and ensure access to safe drinking water in prenatal clinics. Prenatal care providers receive training on medication adherence and malaria prevention guidelines, contributing to better maternal and child health outcomes.
By addressing these key areas, PMI-S is laying the groundwork for a malaria-free Nigeria.
Prevention of Malaria
Malaria can be prevented by using insecticides. Applying mosquito repellent to the skin is another effective measure. Mosquito coils can also help reduce the risk, and putting on long pants and sleeves offers additional protection.
However, the most effective way to prevent malaria is by sleeping under a mosquito net. Organizations like UNICEF have distributed millions of mosquito nets to people over the years. In many countries, governments provide mosquito nets for free or at highly affordable prices to ensure accessibility.
