Challenges in the Quality of Malaria Case Management in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Malaria continues to be a parasitic disease that poses a persistent public health concern in countries of the Southern region. Despite the deployment of strategies aimed at its elimination by 2030, significant gaps still impede the achievement of this goal. A critical gap is the quality of case management. This article presents a narrative review specifically focusing on the quality of malaria case management in SubSaharan African countries. It delves into the complex challenges associated with managing this disease, encompassing aspects such as healthcare service organization, diagnosis, treatment, and patient follow-up. The article highlights underlying factors that hinder progress, including insufficient resources, inadequate skills, limited monitoring and evaluation capacities, lack of motivation and commitment among stakeholders, and challenges related to implementation and governance. It explores various initiatives to strengthen and enhance the quality of care, including continuous training programs, epidemiological and operational research endeavors, fostering a culture of quality, and promoting collaboration among stakeholders. Furthermore, the article emphasizes the importance of sustainable approaches at the country level to contribute to effective malaria elimination. It underscores the need for further exploration and implementation of strategies to achieve this crucial goal.