"I came here yesterday because my son had malaria. Now I'm sick. I have no net. If I did, I would use it. I can't afford to buy one. And I can't afford to go to the hospital; that's why I'm at this clinic. Sure, I have faith in the nurse, but it's affordable here."
It is common for malaria to be transmitted from one family member to another. As a result, the economic toll that the disease takes on families can be devastating. In some places, it is estimated that over 35% of all disposable income (1) is spend on malaria. Private clinics and medicine vendors offer services at discounted rates. They are often the significant caregivers in communities. While these clinics provide greater access to care, it is extremely difficult to regulate and monitor their ability to accurately diagnose malaria and provide quality medications.
A recent investigation into drug quality in sub-Sahara Africa found that 37% of tested anti-malarials failed United States Pharmacopeia (USP) standards. 78% of the suspect drugs were from private facilities (2).
