Capacity for Malaria Diagnosis and Treatment in Government Health Facilities of Lagos Nigeria Between 2009 and 2013

Abstract

The capacity of public health facilities to effectively manage malaria in endemic zones is often limited by inadequate facilities, equipment and skills. This
study was a follow up study to assess the capacity of public health facilities in Lagos, Nigeria to diagnose and treat malaria following various interventions to
improve capacity.
METHODOLOGY:
We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional repeated survey of 218 functional government-owned health facilities in 2009 and 2013. In-depth interviews
and direct observations methods were used
RESULTS:
The proportion of PHCs capable of conducting rapid diagnostic tests for malaria increased signiï€cantly from 8.2% to 91.0%. There was also an increased
availability of ACTs such as Artemisinin-Lumefantrine (92.6%) and Artesunate-Amodiaquine (92.9%) in both PHCs and the secondary facilities compared
to 66.7% and 77.3% respectively in 2009. A total of 26 (13.7%) PHCs and 1 (3.6%) secondary facility experienced stock-out for anti-malarial in 2013
compared to 38.5% and 59.1% respectively in 2009. However, the increase in the supply of Artemisinin-based therapy for malaria treatment was not
statistically signiï€cant
CONCLUSION:
Between the two-time periods, there was an increase in functionality and capacity of the health facilities to diagnose malaria and treat appropriately which
should be sustained through continuous monitoring and evaluation of performance to determine the impact of interventions.