Greater Kumasi benefits from Larval Source Management training

The Deputy Director, Public Health (DDPH) in the Ashanti Region, Dr Michael Rockson Adjei, has emphasised that Larval Source Management (LSM) is crucial in malaria control intervention.

He, therefore, urged Ghanaians to embrace this measure when its implementation began.

Dr Adjei was speaking to journalists at the end of a one-day LSM training held for health workers in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, last Friday.

The training, which was held in Kumasi, was organised by Zoomlion Ghana Limited, in partnership with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) under its National Malaria Control Programme (NAMCOP) and Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR).

It brought together 160 various health workers from 18 districts and one sentinel in the region.

Beneficiary districts

The districts were Asokore Mampong, Asokwa, Ashanti Mampong Municipal, Kwabre East, Ejisu, Old Tafo, Manhyia North, Manhyia South, and Atwima Mponua. The rest were Atwima Nwabiagya, Atwima Kwanwoma, Sekyere East, Kwadaso, Bosomtwe, Suame, Bekwai, Oforikrom, Offinso and Obuasi as sentinel.

Dr Adjei explained that LSM was basically to control the vector that carried the malaria parasite.

“It is also to ensure how to control the anopheles mosquito in limiting the number of vectors.

This LSM intervention, he further noted, would help decrease the burden or number of malaria cases, “we see at a particular time or in a month.”

He said LSM application of larvicide was done at various mosquito breeding sites that could be dredged.

"For example, you may have a very big water body like a lake that it cannot readily drain or even a marshy area that serves as a source or breeding site for mosquitoes," he added.

Vector

According to him, the application of larvicide was crucial in fighting the development state of the vector, adding that “it will enable us to reduce the population of mosquitoes.”

Mosquito is the key vector that transmits malaria among the population, he said.

Dr Adjei emphasised the need for an intense collaboration between GHS, ZGL and the communities.

The Regional Environmental Health Officer, Ashanti Region, Mr Don Awantungo, who was very satisfied with the training, said the LSM training will help in controlling malaria cases in the region.

Tackling mosquitoes

"In fact, this particular programme will help so much in tackling mosquitoes from the larvae stage," he said.

He, therefore, commended the organisers for putting together the training programme, pointing out that “we need to equip field workers so that they can do their work well”

The Zoomlion General Manager, Ashanti East, Mr Franklin Ofori Akuffo, indicated that the LSM was one of the best interventions in the control of malaria.

According to Ofori Akuffo, this LSM can help moving from one place to another in controlling every work done.

He reiterated his outfit’s commitment to support the government to improve the lot of the citizenry

"I encourage our workers to give their utmost best, because once you have been paid for it, we need to go out there and do our best so that the programme will be a success," he urged.