Programme launched to stop malaria spread in 2 Bono districts
An Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) programme has been launched at Nkrankwanta in the Bono Region to fight against malaria in two districts.
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Rolled out in the Dormaa West and Banda districts, the initiative is targeted at ensuring the health and well-being of the people in the areas.
The districts were selected to benefit from the intervention because they fall within the high malaria burden classified districts.
The IRS project intends to kill mosquitoes that carry the malaria parasite, to prevent its transmission or reduce mosquito populations in areas with high malaria burden.
The initiative, a proven vector control intervention, involves spraying the inner walls of houses where mosquito vectors are known to rest, with an effective residual insecticide.
Funded by the government, the exercise will be conducted by Kill-pest Services, a private organisation.
Threat
At the launch last Tuesday, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, said despite the GHS's commitment to eliminate malaria, the disease continued to pose a significant threat to public health, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Some of the guests at the launch of the Indoor Residual Spraying programme
He called on stakeholders, particularly the private sector, to invest in proven interventions such as the IRS to protect the health and well-being of citizens.
"As we strive to achieve malaria elimination, I call upon all stakeholders, particularly the private sector, to come together and invest in proven interventions such as the IRS.
"By working together, we can accelerate our progress and create a healthier future for all Ghanaians," he said.
Dr Kuma-Aboagye said a malaria-free Ghana could be created by strengthening interventions, improving delivery and fostering community engagement.
He said the IRS initiative marked a significant milestone in the country's unwavering commitment to eliminate malaria.
Dr Kuma-Aboagye said Ghana had made commendable strides in reducing the malaria burden over the years; "however, the fight against this disease remains a top priority."
Plan
He said the government was implementing the National Malaria Elimination Strategic Plan (2024-2028) launched in January by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to accelerate efforts towards malaria elimination.
Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, speaking at the launch of the Indoor Residual Spraying programme
Dr Kuma-Aboagye said the plan outlined a set of ambitious goals and strategies to ensure that 100 per cent of the population was protected by at least one malaria preventive intervention.
He explained that the plan focused on expanding the coverage of existing interventions, improving delivery and introducing new approaches.
He mentioned scaling up insecticide-treated nets, strengthening and expanding IRS coverage, promoting preventive chemotherapy and strengthening surveillance and monitoring as some of the key priorities being taken to control malaria.
He urged residents at the beneficiary districts to embrace the initiative and work closely with health officials to ensure its effective implementation.
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Dr Kuma-Aboagye thanked the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI), AngloGold Ashanti and the Innovative Vector Control Consortium (IVCC) for their contributions to the Kill-pest project.
Malaria deaths
The Director of Public Health, Dr Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, said deaths due to malaria had plummeted from 2,799 in 2012 to 146 in 2023.
He explained that malaria prevalence had declined from 27.5 per cent in 2011 to 8.6 per cent in 2022, reflecting the effectiveness of the preventive measures.
Dr Asiedu-Bekoe said the reduction in malaria deaths and prevalence was a testament to the improved quality of care and accessibility of life-saving interventions.
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"Vector Control interventions play a pivotal role in our fight against malaria, by targeting mosquitoes and reducing their lifespan.
"Through concerted efforts and strategic interventions, we have witnessed a substantial reduction in the burden of this disease," he said.
Dr Asiedu-Bekoe said the IRS had helped to cut down the prevalence of malaria in the Upper East and Northern regions.
"By continuing to invest in evidence-based strategies such as the IRS, we can create a healthier and more prosperous future for all Ghanaians," he said.
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The Executive Director of Kill-pest Services, Anthony Awotwe Bosumafe, commended the government and the National Malaria Eradication Programme for entrusting them with such a critical project.
"We believe this is a service to our people and a duty call to deliver to our utmost capability to eradicate malaria in these areas," he said.
Writer's email: biiya.ali@graphic.com.gh