Fighting malaria: permanent preventive treatment for infants

Fighting malaria: permanent preventive treatment for infants
Extract from the article: In Togo, children under the age of two will now benefit from permanent preventive treatment against malaria, thanks to the inclusion of infant chemoprevention in the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). The Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene h

In Togo, children under the age of two will now benefit from permanent preventive treatment against malaria, thanks to the inclusion of infant chemoprevention in the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI).  The Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene has officially launched chemoprevention of perennial malaria in infants (CPP/TPln) as part of the Expanded Program on Immunization (PEV). The ceremony took place on November 28 in Assahoun, in the Avé prefecture, and was attended by partners, local authorities, community leaders and the general public. The Global Fund-supported initiative will be implemented in Greater Lomé, as well as in the Maritime and Plateaux regions.

Chemoprevention involves administering Sulfadoxine Pyrimethamine to children under the age of two.  It is being implemented in 16 health districts not yet benefiting from chemoprevention of seasonal malaria, notably in Greater Lomé, the Maritime and Plateaux regions. The operation is being carried out with the financial support of the Global Fund, and aims to inform and encourage community support for this new intervention.

Sulfadoxine Pyrimethamine is administered orally to infants in four doses during vaccination sessions, when they are ten weeks, fourteen weeks, nine months and fifteen months old. Each dose protects the child against malaria, in this case the severe forms, for a period of 35 days.

The Coordinator of the National Malaria Control Program emphasized that with the 16 districts added to the 23 others in the northern part of the country, the whole country is now covered by chemoprevention of malaria in very young children, in line with the new National Strategic Plan 2023-2026.

The Prefect of Avé, Awu Kossi, spoke of the deaths caused in families by malaria, and the impoverishment of parents who have to meet expenses during children's malaria attacks. For this reason, he hailed the advent of the CPP/TPln as a real relief for households.

The WHO representative, Dr Koudema Winiga, Head of the Malaria Program at WHO Togo, noted that with the CPP/TPln, Togo is moving towards better protection of the population.He reaffirmed the UN agency's commitment to supporting Togo in its drive to build a strong, resilient health system. « The epidemiological stratification and targeting of malaria control interventions carried out with WHO support have demonstrated the need to introduce other WHO-recommended malaria control strategies such as the one whose launch brings us all together. This is a sign that Togo is moving inexorably towards better quality interventions, strengthening its health system at the same time, and improving community accessibility to malaria prevention services.For the introduction of this new intervention to have a good impact, community support remains essential »”, stressed Winiga Koudema.

The Secretary General of the Ministry in charge of Health, Dr Wotobe Kokou, invited the population of Greater Lomé and the Maritime and Plateaux regions to adhere unreservedly to the (CPP/TPln). « ...Perennial Malaria Chemo Prevention is an intervention that marks a significant step forward in our progressive march towards the elimination of malaria.This intervention, which has been validated by the WHO since 2010 and is based on solid scientific evidence, aims to protect the most vulnerable populations, especially our beloved children, against severe forms of this disease which has been causing us so much harm for several years.By introducing chemoprevention, we are taking a bold step towards a future where malaria will no longer be a threat to our country », he declared.He also urged parents to continue sleeping under impregnated mosquito nets with their children.

Elom AKAKPO

Author
santé éducation
Editor
Abel OZIH

In Togo, children under the age of two will now benefit from permanent preventive treatment against malaria, thanks to the inclusion of infant chemoprevention in the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). The Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene h

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