Fighting malaria: permanent preventive treatment for infants
- Posted on 27/12/2024 23:45
- Film
- By abelozih@sante-education.tg

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