Malaria J
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Non-falciparum malaria (NFM) has been reported to be responsible for around 25% of imported malaria cases in Europe but is often neglected due to its less severe clinical course when compared to Plasmodium falciparum. Differentiation between species is however crucial for a correct approach. The objective of this study is to report the cases of this often missed aetiology of malaria in a tertiary hospital in Portugal. ⋯ NFM remains an important cause of imported malaria in patients from sub-Saharan Africa, alone or as mixed infection with P. falciparum. Access to PCR techniques facilitates diagnosis, as low sensitivity from RDTs and microscopy are to be expected.
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An intensive effort to control malaria in Zimbabwe has produced dramatic reductions in the burden of the disease over the past 13 years. The successes have prompted the Zimbabwe's National Malaria Control Programme to commit to elimination of malaria. It is critical to analyse the changes in the morbidity trends based on surveillance data, and scrutinize reorientation to strategies for elimination. ⋯ A significant progress to reduce malaria transmission in Zimbabwe has been made. While a great potential and opportunities to eliminate malaria in the country exist, elimination is not a business as usual approach. Instead, it needs an improved, systematic and new programmatic strategy supported strongly by political will, sustained funding, good leadership, community engagement, and a strong monitoring and evaluation system all year round until the cessation of local transmission.
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Apart from its direct impact on public health and well-being, malaria had placed significant socioeconomic burden on both individuals and whole health systems. This study was conducted to investigate the hospitalization cost of malaria and explore the inter-province variation during the National Malaria Elimination Programme in China. ⋯ Although the prevalence of malaria cases has considerably declined, the direct hospitalization costs of malaria in the household remain high and the inter-province variations need to be seriously considered in the formulation the further interventions regarding hospitalization cost control. This study suggests that economic risk protection mechanisms targeting at malaria inpatients should be redesigned. The drug price addition policy in public hospitals should be gradually reformed or abolished coupling with increasing government subsidies along with the charges for treatment services to reduce the hospitalization cost. The policy for cost control in the provincial hospitals should be implemented in comparison with the policy in other provinces, where the status of economic and geography are similar.