Artemisinin-resistant malaria in Africa demands urgent action: an article in Science
MARC SE-Africa coordinator Prof Karen I Barnes and project partners Mehul Dhorda, Aline Uwimana, Jean-Louis Ndikumana Mangara, Leon Mutesa, and Arjen Dondorp have contributed to an article in the journal Science, calling for urgent action on artemisinin resistance in Africa.
In the article, the authors warn against further delays in addressing the growing artemisinin resistance in Africa. They point to historical examples of delayed and responses to antimalarial resistance and remind the readers of the thousands of lives that could have been saved if action had been taken earlier. The reasons for the historic delays are multifaceted and include lengthy processes of changing malaria treatment guidelines and the higher costs of the newer treatments.
The authors believe that we should not only learn from past failures but also be inspired by how artemisinin resistance (ART-R) was addressed in Southeast Asia in the past ten years. Here, they recognise the critical role of networks of village malaria workers in improving diagnosis and treatment in varied communities, and of a coordinated regional response, the Regional Artemisinin-resistance Initiative (RAI).
Like the situation in Asia a decade ago, the current state of ART-R in Africa points to the urgent need for action.
One of the authors’ recommendations is to combine an artemisinin derivative with two partner drugs to create a triple artemisinin combination therapy. According to the authors, this approach is quick to implement and affordable. However, the question of access remains. Here, community health workers - often based in remote areas - come into play. Their involvement could improve access to antimalarial drugs and ensure that these are provided swiftly, decreasing malaria mortality attributed to delays in treatment.
The authors conclude by listing several actions and policy changes needed to tackle ART-R and remind readers that antimalarial resistance unless decisive action is taken, will increase.
Only a visionary approach, similar to the plan implemented in Asia, can contain its spread in Africa.
The whole article with a detailed overview of policy changes and other actions needed to limit ART-R in East Africa: Artemisinin-resistant malaria in Africa demands urgent action | Science
