In its efforts towards finding a lasting solution to malaria disease within the Country, the National Malaria Control Programme has embarked on a policy change process aimed at introducing a new anti – malaria treatment,

When launched, the new anti – malaria treatment is expected to replace the use of choloroquin in malaria treatment and thus reduce malaria cases in the country.

In view of the important role they played in Public Sensitisation with regards to Health issues, a total number of forty (40) journalist form the print and electronic media last Friday took part in a one day sensitisation on the new anti – malaria treatment policy change.

Organised by the department of state for health and social welfare in collaboration with the National Malaria Control Programme, the Sensitisation workshop was aimed at equiping members of the media fraternity with latest information regarding the new anti – malaria treatment policy change and other malaria related issues.

Declaring the workshop open, Mr. Malara Fofana, Programme Manager, National Malaria Control Program said after realising that the drugs use in treating malaria is dropping, the health department want a change to the treatment policy, which he added the National Malaria Control Program is embarking on.

According to Mr. Fofana, the National Malaria Control Programme, entrusted with the responsibility of Coordinating Malaria activities in The Country wants to roll back malaria and as a result saw the need to bring in a change in the treatment process.

He however stressed the need for people to change their attitudes particularly when it comes to taking treatment.

For her part, Mrs. Adam Jange – Sonko, deputy Program manager, National Malaria Control program describe journalist as partners in the sensitisation process of the new anti – malaria treatment.

“ We want to roll back malaria to the jungle and in partnership with members of the media fraternity, this can be achieved”, she said.

According to her, the new anti – malaria treatment policy change will bring a drastic reduction in malaria cases in The Gambia.

Other Speakers on the occasion include Mrs. Abi khan, head of the Regional Health Management Team, Western Region.