Free care of simple malaria in a general hospital, Côte d'Ivoire, 2017

Background: Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity in Côte d'Ivoire. Therefore, Côte d'lvoire's Ministry of Health implemented an exemption policy for Malaria treatment to remove thefinancial barriers hindering diagnosis and treatment. Objective: A normative study was carried out at second-level hospital (Abobo Sud General Hospital) from January to October 2017. This study aimed at evaluating the medical care of uncomplicated malaria at a second-level hospital in the context of a targeted policy exemption. Methods: The study sample consisted of 218 patients and 11 health workers. The questionnaire includedsocio-demographic characteristics, thee description of the policy implementation and factors influencing this policy. Results: The mean age of the patients was25 years; 47.7% were from the informal sector; 51.8% single; 28.9% illiterate. 82 among 218 patients were informed of the free access policy, 91% of which is through the media. Common reasons for consulting were headache (74.3%). In 99.5%, malaria was positive as per blood smear test. All physicians complied with the exemption policy despite the lack of drugs, reagents, communication, and waiting time for laboratory results with 54.5%, 36.4%, 9.1%, 67%, respectively. Conclusion: This study has shown that the free policy in its implementation at Abobo Sud General Hospital is experiencing shortcomings. A large-scale study should be carried out to compile information in optimizing this policy.