Officials of GHS and NMEP with dignitaries in a group photograph
Ghana has achieved about 98% malaria test rate before treatment according to the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP).
NMEP Deputy Programmes Manager, Nana Yaw Preprah, who disclosed this at the 2024 World Malaria Day commemoration in Accra, said the 2023 figure is an improvement over previous years’ data.
“There has been an improvement in testing for malaria over the years of about 34% in 2019 to about 98% in 2023,” he said.
Mr. Preprah also noted that there has been a decrease in malaria cases from about 28% in 2011 to about 8.6% in 2022.
He said the Greater Accra Region, however, has the lowest decrease whiles the Oti Region recorded the highest decrease.
“We are putting in place a number of effective interventions in preventing malaria including, environmental management, giving out mosquito nets and providing all malaria services to eradicate it,” Mr. Preprah noted.
Director General of Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, explained that the global theme chosen for the commemoration, “Accelerating The Fight Of Malaria For A More Equitable World”, is due to the recognition of how malaria continues to endanger health, cause the loss of lives especially among vulnerable persons, such as, pregnant women, children below 5 years and refugees.
“Malaria has been a priority health problem in Ghana over the past decades, remaining a leading cause of illness, hospital admissions and death, especially young children and pregnant women” he said.
He emphasised the need to ensure equitable delivery of malaria services to all who need them despite funding constraints.
Dr. Kuma-Aboagye thus called on stakeholders and organisations to support the GHS to provide malaria treatment services for all.
National Malaria Champion, Oheneyere Gifty Anti, called on the public to keep their environment and homes clean to help fight malaria.
She also advised pregnant women to continuously test for malaria and take their medication to prevent any loss of life.
The 2024 World Malaria Day was held under the theme, “Health Equity: The Cornerstone For Achieving Malaria Elimination In Ghana”. It was aimed at raising awareness on the global effort to control and ultimately eradicate malaria.
By Janet Odei Amponsah