WATERAID WARNS OF INCREASING CASES OF CHOLERA ACROSS THE SADC REGION
MW ADOPTS SINGLE DOSE TREATMENT FOR CRYPTOCOCCAL MENINGITIS
Meclina Chirwa
Malawi has adopted the single dose treatment for cryptococcal meningitis.
It is a fungal infection that affects the brain, and causes a serious disease, by suppressing immune system especially to the people living with HIV across the global.
In an interview with Timveni, UNC’s study author and lead research doctor, Dr Cecilia Kanyama said the ministry of health in Malawi has already incorporated results of the landmark trial into the Malawi HIV treatment guidelines.
She said to illustrate the magnitude of the problem locally, on a single day the hospital wards accommodate more than 6 patients being treated for meningitis.
According to Kanyama, having demonstrated an alternative treatment which is effective, but less on side effects, nursing care and overall cost on health system, calls for celebration that the country will be on the right track in the fight.
More than 800 adult patients with a 1st episode of HIV-associated meningitis from 5 countries in Southern and Eastern Africa took part in the trial.
In Malawi, UNC project in partnership with Kamuzu Central Hospital enrolled 110 trial participants.
