SUCCESS STORIES

Treatment with ACTs Eases Malaria Burden

“Two months ago we lost my mother to malaria, so last week when my son became sick, I was so worried.”

Marcely Mayunga furrowed his brow as he spoke, just at the memory of his child suffering. As a single parent, his four sons depend on him for everything, like knowing what to do when a deadly disease strikes again, so soon after their grandmother’s passing.

“I had recently heard about these very good drugs for malaria, the ACTs, so that is what used,” Mayunga said. “The boy was better within one day, and even after three days of treatment there were no side effects. He was well!”

Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACTs) were rolled out as the first line treatment for malaria in Tanzania in October 2006 and have proven to be a vital tool in the fight against malaria.

With support of PMI, the National Malaria Control Program began training frontline health workers months before the drugs became available on its appropriate use and provision. The private sector joined in as well, through accredited drug dispensing outlets or ADDOs, where consumers like Marcely Mayunga can purchase ACTs directly.

At government-run run clinics and hospitals, though, the drugs are free.

“On average, we use two full boxes per day of ACTs,” said Imani Mkwela, pharmacology assistant at the busy Magu Hospital in northern Tanzania. “Almost every other patient has malaria, but thankfully, the ACTs are really working for them, and quickly.”

Despite its proven effectiveness, ACTs are still relatively new drugs, compared to others that have been administered for decades. So, PMI is working to help raise awareness about ACTs nationwide and promote their use in both the public and private sectors.

“I have been a community health worker since 2001, and we always teaching people about malaria and other diseases,” said Peter Lushinagula, a local health worker in rural Kitongo village. “Now we know to educate people about ACTs and using them for malaria treatment. It is the best drug for malaria.”

Before ACTs can reach villages like Kitongo, a massive, behind-the-scenes effort must take place in Tanzania’s major cities – the procurement, storage, and distribution of the drugs, an effort that PMI is also supporting as part of a comprehensive strategy to boost ACTs use and availability throughout the country.

“I like this drug,” said Mayunga, now smiling and relaxed, since his son’s story has a happy ending. “It may be new to Tanzania but it seems to work the very best.”