Abstract
- Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and is the highest contributor to the global malaria disease burden. Improving health system performance in Nigeria is critical for reducing global burden.
- The first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria is the artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) artemether lumefantrine (AL). Artesunate amodiaquine (ASAQ) is an alternative first-line treatment. Antimalarials including AL and ASAQ are classified as over-the-counter medicines in Nigeria and may be distributed by private sector outlets including patent and proprietary medicine vendors (PPMVs).
- Efforts to increase the availability of affordable quality-assured ACT (QAACT) in both public and private sectors have included the Affordable Medicines Facility – malaria (AFMm). Access to co-paid ACTs among public and private sector first-line buyers in pilot countries continued beyond the pilot period through 2013.
- Confirmatory testing prior to antimalarial treatment is stipulated by national treatment guidelines. Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have been introduced as a strategy to achieve high coverage of confirmatory testing.
