Commentary
Implementing ideal health policy in a fragile health system: the example of expanding the use of malaria rapid diagnostic tests in mainland Tanzania
1 Health Systems Group, Ifakara Health Institute, Kiko Avenue- Mikocheni, PO Box 78373, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
2 Emerging Voices programme (2010), Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
3 Christian Sickness Fund, Chaussée de Haecht 579, BP 40, B-1031 Brussels, Belgium
4 Clinical Sciences Department, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
Malaria Journal 2011, 10:322 doi:10.1186/1475-2875-10-322
Published: 28 October 2011Abstract
Malaria confirmation before treatment provides an opportunity for improving the quality of malaria case management in endemic regions. However, increased coverage of this strategy is facing many organizational, logistical and technical challenges that threaten its success. Introducing an intervention with system-wide effect, such as the use of malaria rapid diagnostic tests in areas where malaria is still a public health problem, should be accompanied by system strengthening measures to better attain the goal of improving quality of care.
