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Policy brief on improving access to artemisinin-based combination therapies for malaria in Cameroon

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 April 2010

Pierre Ongolo-Zogo
Affiliation:
University Yaoundé 1 and Yaoundé Central Hospital
Renée-Cécile Bonono
Affiliation:
Catholic University of Central Africa and Yaoundé Central Hospital

Extract

Malaria is the major cause of illness in Cameroon, responsible for 40 percent of medical consultations. For this reason, the Head of State along with his African Union peers in April 2000 and 2006 undertook to achieve universal access to malaria control interventions, including effective treatment (10;12). Uneven distribution of health services, especially in rural areas, and high poverty rates make health care and drugs inaccessible or unaffordable (14;16). Therefore, the World Health Organization recommends building comprehensive mechanisms grounded on relevant social and community organizations, including the private sector, to improve access to care for vulnerable populations (22;23). Accordingly, the strategic plan to fight malaria in Cameroon, endorsed by the National Committee to Roll Back Malaria, recommends home-based management of malaria (HMM) to improve access and reduce delays in treatment (12).

Type
THEME SECTION: OPTIONS FOR IMPROVING MALARIA TREATMENT
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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