VIJAYAWADA: The district malaria office has received Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) drugs to treat malaria cases effectively.
Speaking to Express on Thursday, district malaria officer A Rambabu said patients suffering from plasmodium falciparum malaria should be treated with ACT drugs. Artesunate tablets worth Rs 190 are being given to PF malaria patients free of cost. As part of the new therapy, Artesunate tablets will be given for three days. Sulphadoxine, pyrimethamine and primaquine tablets will also be given.
The dosage depends on various factors like the age and body weight of the patient. Rambabu said.
To check the spread of malaria in the city during the rainy season, the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation set up a Helpline with toll free number 1800425-2000. Soon after receiving a phone call from the patient, the call centre employee will send an SMS immediately to the health assistant giving the address of the patient.
The health assistant will visit the house of the patient and collect his blood sample.
Later, it will be sent to the lab. Based on the blood analysis report, the area health supervisor will visit the patient’s house and give medicines. T
he condition of the patient will be monitored till his recovery from malaria. The case details will also be reported to the sub unit office, Rambabu said.
