Malaria Control Programme inspects mosquito control exercise in Accra, Kumasi

The Programme Manager of the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Keziah Malm, has inspected ongoing larval source management activity being undertaken by Zoomlion Ghana Limited in some parts of the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions.

Larval source management is part of integrated vector management which targets the killing of mosquitoes at the larval stage before they mature into adult mosquitoes.

The intent is to reduce the population of adult mosquitoes, especially female anopheles mosquitoes known for transmitting malaria, elephantiasis, among other serious diseases.

Dr Malm toured targeted mosquito breeding sites within the Ayawaso West and Central municipalities of the Greater Accra Region and Oforikrom and Ejisu municipalities in the Ashanti Region.

The areas were earlier mapped for application with a biolarvicide bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis (Bti) which has been recommended by the World Health Organisation as environmentally safe for eliminating mosquito larvae.

Impressive work

Dr Malm said she was impressed with the work done by Zoomlion, and commended the Vector Control Unit of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, saying “I like what I saw, especially with the spraying of small dugouts created by the farmers within the community”.

She added that “many have attested to the fact that the exercise has been effective and has reduced the level of mosquito breeding in the country”.
She advised the public to keep their communities clean.

“Let us protect ourselves from malaria; sleep in treated mosquito nets, and if you are pregnant visit the hospital for medication to protect you from malaria,” she added.

The National Coordinator of the Nationwide Mosquito Control Programme (NAMCOP) and the Head of Vector Control Department of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Rev. Ebenezer Kwame Addae, indicated that the larviciding exercise was being carried out in all the mapped breeding sites throughout the country.

He further indicated that seven districts had been selected for surveillance and monitoring purposes.

Appreciation

The Ayawaso Central Municipal Environmental Health Officer, Mr Emmanuel Sonny Alorleve, expressed appreciation to Zoomlion for the effort to reduce and control mosquitoes within the municipality.
 
He said: “My worry is that those living in the community should keep their surrounding devoid of tins, cans, lorry tyres and others that can breed mosquitoes.”

He added that the municipality would make sure gutters were cleaned at all times to ensure the success of the exercise.
 
The assembly member of Alajo North Electoral Area, Mr Ibrahim Alidu, said he was very impressed with the exercise.