Management of the disease

Early diagnosis and adequate treatment are basic elements of any malaria control programme. Early and correct treatment of malarial disease will shorten its duration and prevent the development of complications and the great majority of deaths from malaria. Despite the problems of drug resistance, falciparum malaria remains one of the most curable afflictions known. Access to early diagnosis and treatment should be seen not only as a component in any malaria control programme, but as a fundamental right of all populations affected by malaria. As such, it must be an essential part of health care development efforts. In contemporary control, treatment is provided to cure the patients of their disease, rather than to reduce parasite reservoirs.

Diagnosis and treatment of malarial disease

• Development of a national policy for malarial disease management
• Malaria recognition and diagnosis
• Malaria drug policy