Rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) for malaria are tested for accuracy at The International Center for Malaria at the University of Lagos, Nigeria.
Precise and rapid diagnostic tests are not widely available in most endemic areas. As a result, most febrile patients are treated for malaria without testing to confirm the diagnosis. Consequently, it is difficult to both accurately determine exact infection statistics for an area, and to properly treat those who are sick.
Fast and accurate testing for malaria results in better treatment and prevention. RDTs offer a practical and economic solution when high quality microscopy is not available.
Funding is just one step in ensuring accurate diagnoses. The quality of imported and domestically produced tests must constantly be assessed to weed-out counterfeits and brands with poor quality control. Additionally, all tests must be monitored for their ability to maintain diagnostic accuracy in the harsh storage and field conditions where they are deployed.