Implementing ideal health policy in a fragile health system: The example of expanding the use of malaria rapid diagnostic tests in mainland Tanzania

Abstract

Malaria confirmation before treatment provides an opportunity for improving the quality of malaria case management in endemic regions. However, increased coverage of this strategy is facing many organizational, logistical and technical challenges that threaten its success. Introducing an intervention with system-wide effect, such as the use of malaria rapid diagnostic tests in areas where malaria is still a public health problem, should be accompanied by system strengthening measures to better attain the goal of improving quality of care. © 2011Masanja et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.