The Western Region coordinating committee on the new anti-malaria drug policy change, on Wednesday, held a community sensitisation workshop on the new malaria drug "ARTEMETHER & LUMEFANTRINE or CORTEM" held at the Western Region governor's office in Brikama.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, on behalf of the Western Region governor, Abdou FM Badjie, the chief executive officer of the Brikama Area Council, Mamadou Jallow, said malaria is a life threatening problem that calls for public reaction. He urged the participants to be ambassadors of their respective areas by disseminating the information gained from the workshop to the grassroots. He also called on the public to always clean their environment.

For her part, Mrs Aja Aby Khan, Western Region health officer,  said the sensitisation is a step in the right direction. She continued that the programme was funded by the Global Fund through the Office of the President.

According to her, the workshop was held in Western Region because it comprises more than half of the population of The Gambia. Mrs Khan attached much importance to the workshop stating that it is about a shift from chloroquine to the new medicine.  According to her, it was discovered that chloroquine can only cure 75% of the malaria sickness.

"But for this new medicine it has no side effect,"  she explained.

Mrs Khan further explained that chloroquine can only treat malaria minimally and this was why it has been changed.

"Even with the introduction of the new drug, chloroquine will also be used" she confirmed. She asserted that in cases of severe and complicated malaria, artemether and lumefantrine should be used.

She further stated that the new drugs are free of charge at all the government health centers. Mrs Khan then urged the general public to use the drugs as prescribed to them by the doctors.

She warned that it is an offense to sell these drugs in the streets. Mr Sereign Modou Joof, Brikama Area Council public relations officer, gave the vote of thanks.