The Nigerian Federal Government has officially prohibited the use of monotherapy drugs for malaria treatment, which includes artesunate and artemether injections, chloroquine, and sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP).
This decision, revealed by health officials, is part of a broader strategy to address the rising resistance to malaria medications.
Monotherapy, which entails the use of a single drug for treatment, has proven to be less effective against malaria due to the parasite’s adaptability.
Instead, the government is promoting the use of combination therapies, particularly Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT), recognized as the most effective treatment for malaria in the country.
Health authorities have stressed that this ban is crucial for safeguarding public health and ensuring better management of the disease.
This initiative is in line with global health recommendations and aims to strengthen Nigeria’s battle against malaria, which continues to be one of the country’s major public health concerns.
