Gov't, MSF clash over malaria treatment

Ethiopia’s health ministry has clashed with the aid agency Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) over malaria treatment in the midst of a major epidemic threatening 15 million people. MSF is urging the government to implement a cocktail of drugs which have been given preliminary approval by the World Health Organisation (WHO). But the ministry says that calls by the NGO to change anti-malarial drugs during an epidemic were potentially dangerous and could cost 10 times the existing treatment. In a statement, the ministry said changes in treatment policies caused “serious planning, implementation and sustainability problems”. MSF claims the combination treatment is far more effective. It says the number of deaths following the outbreak earlier this year has increased threefold. The government is currently carrying out tests on the new method – known as Artemisinin Combination Therapies (ACT) - and is expected to announce the results early next year. But MSF says the drugs should be used now and argues that current treatments are proving ineffective during the epidemic. Annick Hamel, MSF spokeswoman in Ethiopia, said death rates had increased threefold in the areas where MSF works. “We assume there is a link because of the mortality rate and the increase in malaria,” she said. “You need to use those drugs if you want to reduce the strength of the epidemic." “It is true they (ACT drugs) are a lot more expensive but mechanisms like the global fund are in place so that funding can be made available,” Annick told IRIN. According to the health ministry, some 448 districts in Ethiopia are currently at risk of malaria – potentially some 46 million people. The UN has also expressed concern that if the government were to switch treatment during the epidemic there are simply not enough of the new combination drugs available. In a report to international organisations – currently funding a massive anti-malarial drive - the UN states that new treatment could cost up to US $30 million. In October, the UN appealed for US $5.8 million to help fight the epidemic but so far is still facing a US $1 million shortfall. Drug treatment for malaria in Ethiopia has to have the go-ahead of the government which issues protocols to medical agencies for the distribution of drugs. Currently four different drugs are being used in the country. The UN’s Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and WHO say extensive training would be needed for a new treatment.