Neftaly Goal: Achieving 100% Parasitological Diagnosis and Effective Treatment of Malaria by 2017
Accurate diagnosis and prompt, effective treatment are essential pillars in the fight against malaria. Neftaly is committed to supporting Namibia’s Ministry of Health and Social Services in achieving:
100% parasitological diagnosis of all fever or suspected malaria cases at health facilities, and
100% effective treatment of all confirmed malaria cases in accordance with national treatment guidelines by 2017.
Strategic Focus Areas
1. Universal Access to Quality Diagnostic Services
- Scale up availability of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and microscopy in all public health facilities
- Train health workers in proper use of diagnostic tools and interpretation of results
- Ensure functional laboratory equipment and reliable supply chains for diagnostic commodities
- Promote adherence to test-before-treat protocols to reduce presumptive treatment and improve case management accuracy
2. Ensuring 100% Effective Treatment
- Guarantee uninterrupted supply of first-line artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) and other approved antimalarial drugs
- Train healthcare providers on national malaria treatment guidelines, including management of severe and complicated malaria
- Implement monitoring systems to track treatment adherence, patient outcomes, and drug resistance trends
- Provide patient education on completing treatment regimens and recognizing danger signs
3. Quality Assurance and Supervision
- Conduct regular supportive supervision and mentorship to ensure compliance with diagnostic and treatment standards
- Establish quality control mechanisms for laboratory diagnostics and treatment delivery
- Use routine data to identify gaps and promptly address challenges in diagnosis and case management
4. Community Awareness and Demand Creation
- Educate communities on the importance of seeking testing for all fevers and completing prescribed treatments
- Engage community health workers in reinforcing messages about malaria diagnosis and treatment adherence
- Address misconceptions around testing and treatment to improve acceptance and trust
Expected Outcomes by 2017
- Every person presenting with fever or suspected malaria at a health facility receives a parasitological test to confirm or rule out malaria
- All confirmed malaria cases receive effective treatment consistent with the latest national guidelines
- Reduction in unnecessary antimalarial drug use, lowering the risk of drug resistance development
- Improved malaria case management contributing to reduced transmission, morbidity, and mortality