ANGOLA INTRODUCES COARTEM TO FIGHT MALARIA

Angola has introduced a new malaria drug in the handful of provinces most affected by the disease, including Luanda, Benguela, Huambo e Uije and possibly Kwanza-Sul and Bengo.

The medicine, called Coartem, was officially introduced last week by the minister of health. The launch of the new drug is part of a plan to reduce by half the average number of malaria cases by 2010.

Coartem (artemether-lumefantrine) is manufactured by Swiss drugmaker Novartis. The drug has cure rates of up to 95 percent, even in areas of multidrug resistance. It is the only drug combining artemether, an artemisinin derivative, and lumefantrine. This fixed-dose combination facilitates treatment compliance and supports optimal clinical effectiveness.

According to the Angolan Health Ministry, malaria is the leading cause of death in the country, with approximately 3 million cases and 35,000 deaths per year. The anti-malaria campaign also includes plans to train health technicians, supply clinics with microscopes and quick tests and distribute insecticide-treated mosquito nets.