An Assessment of Malaria Curative Services in Ijara District, a Remote Community in the North-Eastern Province of Kenya

Introduction. Malaria is a major public health problem in Kenya and there is need to strengthen malaria control activities at the district level. Methods. As part of this, an assessment of malaria curative services offered in health facilities in terms of health care material availability and the case management skills of the health workers was conducted in Ijara district. A questionnaire was administered to the health workers. Observation and physical inspection of malaria health care material and perusal of relevant documents were also carried out in all health facilities in 2011. Results. All health facilities had the recommended drugs, though only 90% of facilities had quinine injection. All facilities lacked Rapid Diagnostic Tests, Adverse Drug Reaction reporting forms, and poor quality medicine forms. Conclusions. There is need to equip the health workers with up-to-date case management skills and to provide rapid diagnostic tests.