Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 November 2016
203. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which malaria preventative treatment available to the Defence Forces here meets international health and safety standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34018/16]
View answerThe United Nations recent Medical Support Manual 2015, which is to serve as a standard reference document on medical support aspects of United Nations peacekeeping operations and political missions in the field provides that anti-malarial medicines can be used to prevent malaria. It does not make any recommendations as to which chemoprophylaxis should be used but rather makes reference to the World Health Organisation (WHO) International Travel and Health Handbook for the latest information on malaria chemophylaxis. The WHO Handbook provides for a range of anti-malarials. The WHO Handbook notes that there are specific contraindications and possible side-effects for ALL anti-malarial drugs.
I am advised that the Defence Forces Medical Policy on the use of malaria chemoprophylaxis is in line with the United Nations (UN) and World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.
