IMR Nius Issue 30

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Preventive Treatment for Malaria in Pregnancy Project launch

By Rhonda Clement

A study into the preventive treatment for malaria in pregnancy was launched at 10 am on the 16th of October at the Madang Bates Oval.

According to one of the IPTp Study Clinicians Dr Regina Wangnapi, “People came to see what was happening and asked a lot of questions about the project.”This was confirmed by one of the IPTp Management Team Edmond Polut who reaffirmed that everyone was eager to know more, asking for brochures and more information.

The PNGIMR Madang branch launched the Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy (IPTp). The project aims to see if a new medicine Azithromycin, given intermittently with Sulphadoxine- pyrimethamine (commonly called Fansidar) through pregnant would have a better health outcome for pregnancy women and their babies, compared to the current standard treatment.

The study is supported by the Malaria in Pregnancy Consortium, which receives funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and will be performed in partnership with the University of Melbourne, Australia.

The project will run for 3 years and the location will be Madang with study sites in Alexishafen, Yagaum, Sisiak, Modilon, Town and Jomba.

IPTp Principal Investigator, Professor Stephen Rogerson, from the University of Melbourne was one of the special guests at the launch. During the speech he introduced the IPTp project highlighting the enrollment process, study sites and the advantages of participating in the study.

Deputy Site Manager Ivo Mueller was also present at the launch and made the opening remarks giving an overview of IMR and highlighting the work and projects undertaken by IMR going on to high the work and projects undertaken at the institute.