DEVELOPING SPECIFIC RAPID DIAGNOSTIC TEST KIT FOR MALARIA PARASITES IN MAKENI, SIERRA LEONE


Project owner's name :
Mrs Gibateh Lamarana Samuella
Country of deployment for the project :
Sierra Leone
Sector :
Health
What problem does your company want to solve? :
The problem of reliable testing for detecting the malaria parasite especially in Peripheral health units.
What solution does your company provide? :
By utilizing antigens extracted from local parasite strains, we will produce local Rapid Diagnosis Test Kits andoffer improved sensitivity, specificity, and reliability compared to traditional RDTs.
Describe your project :
Malaria remains a significant public health concern in Sierra Leone, with high morbidity and mortality rates, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children under five years old and pregnant women. •Prompt and accurate diagnosis of malaria is essential for appropriate case management, reducing disease burden, and preventing complications. Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) have emerged as valuable tools for malaria diagnosis, offering advantages such as ease of use, rapid turnaround time, and applicability in resource-limited settings. •However, the utilization of RDTs in Sierra Leone is not without challenges. Firstly, concerns persist regarding the accuracy of RDTs, as false positives and false negatives may occur due to variations in test quality, storage conditions, and user proficiency. •Inaccurate diagnosis can lead to inappropriate treatment, fueling the emergence and spread of drug-resistant malaria parasites and imposing unnecessary costs on healthcare systems. •The production of RDTs utilizing antigens derived from malaria parasites prevalent in Sierra Leone presents a promising approach to address the diagnostic challenges associated with malaria diagnosis in the region. •By leveraging local parasite strains and tailoring diagnostic solutions to the unique epidemiological context of Sierra Leone, these customized RDTs have the potential to enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of malaria diagnosis, leading to improved patient outcomes and strengthene