China Assists Malaria Research Centre

The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that malaria continues to haunt 40 per cent of the world's population and affects more than 500 million people a year, killing more than one million.

The burden of malaria is heaviest in sub-Saharan Africa, but the disease also afflicts Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and even parts of Europe.

To intensify action aimed at minimising malaria infection, facilitate prompt treatment and prevent unnecessary deaths through malaria, Ghana organises commemorative activities to mark World Malaria Day, every year in April.

As part of the annual celebration,the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), in collaboration with other stakeholders organises countrywide advocacy and educational programmes.

Realising the devastating impact of the disease, countries in the affected regions learn from one another’s experiences, support one another’s efforts and encourage new donors to join a global partnership against malaria.

In support of the national malaria prevention programmes, and to bring malaria control to zero to boost the country’s socio-economic development, the Republic of China has presented a quantity of anti-malaria laboratory equipment and drugs worth three million yuan to the administration of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.

The equipment, presented by the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Yu Wenzhe, is to expedite research on the country’s Malaria-Eradication Project and Control Programme.

In his address, Mr Wenzhe said malaria was a common and major disease in African, hence, the need for efforts by governments to eradicate it.

He indicated that a nine-member medical team from China, is to work with health officials at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital for a two-year, adding that the programme will also involve an exchange programme between Ghanaian and Chinese students to study medical programmes on scholarship.

In a speech read on his behalf, the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Benjamin Kunbour, stated that the request of China’s arrangement for the Anti-Malaria Research Centre was reviewed to commence on October 27, 2009, pending the completion of the Teshie Hospital where the centre was scheduled to be established.

He expressed gratitude to the Republic of China and suggested the expansion of other facilities and research centres to integrate existing response to the Malaria-Eradication Project and Control Programme in Ghana.

Receiving the equipment, the Chief Executive Officer of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Prof. Nii Otu Nartey, raised concern about the large number of children brought to the hospital for malaria treatment.

He, therefore, appealed to health workers to step up efforts in eradicating the disease.