Ghana needs effective collaboration in malaria campaign

Mr. Anthony Ofori, Brong Ahafo Regional Co-coordinator of Malaria Control, on Tuesday called for effective collaboration between non-governmental organisations (NGOs), corporate bodies and the health authorities in the campaign against malaria in the country.

He said this would enhance education on the disease at the regional, district and community levels.

Mr. Ofori made the call at a day's sensitization workshop on malaria control for heads of NGOs, associations and other stakeholders at Fiapre, near Sunyani.

He said huge sums of money was spent on malaria every year in the country even though the disease could be prevented, adding about 45 per cent of child mortality rate recorded nationwide last year was caused by malaria.

Mr. Ofori said the situation posed a threat to the future of the nation and the main target of the regional malaria control department was to eliminate the disease from the area by end of this year.

Dr. Emmanuel Tinkorang, Deputy Regional Director of Public Health said that the management of malaria cases in Ghana in previous years was not encouraging because treatment was done through mono-therapy.

He said “Malaria is everywhere in the country and there is the need for every individual to contribute his or her quota in its prevention.

Mr. Tinkorang advised the public to ensure sound sanitation practices and to sleep in insecticide-treated nets to avoid contracting the disease.

Dr. Aaron Offei, Regional Director of Ghana Health Service, said that malaria was hyper-endemic in the country and appealed to provide true and credible information on health issues to help prevent the spread of diseases.

Participants appealed for adequate funds and support for advocacy and implementation of disease control programmes.

GNA