Malaria cases decline in the country
Statistics from the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) have established that malaria-related mortality has been declining for the past five years.
Advertisement
In 2010, 3,882 deaths caused by malaria was recorded. the figure declined to 3,197 deaths in 2011 and further reduced to 2,799 in 2012.
In 2013, 2,985 deaths were recorded, reducing to 2,200 in 2014 and 2,137 in 2015.
The Manager of the NMCP, Dr Constance Bart-Plange, attributed the successful decline trend to the intensification of national preventive and management interventions, focused on reducing the prevalence and mortality rate by 75 per cent by 2020.
Malaria Day
She was speaking at a media conference as a prelude to the national celebration of World Malaria Day.
The day is celebrated annually on April 25. This year's global theme for the celebration will be: "End malaria for good", while the local theme is: “End malaria for good: Invest in Malaria”.
The theme reflects the vision of the United Nations to see a malaria-free world by 2030.
Interventions to meet that vision include the distribution of insecticide treatment nets (ITN) nationwide and ensuring that beneficiaries use the nets, embarking on indoor residual spraying exercises, ensuring intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancies and raising more public awareness of the disease.
Other Trending Stories
Dr Bart-Plange said the fight against malaria was a shared responsibility and called on all stakeholders to support the various initiatives.
The Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service ( GHS), Dr Badu Sarkodie, said the celebration of World Malaria Day was an opportunity for the people to learn more about the devastating consequences of the disease and the various interventions taken on its prevention and treatment so far.
Writer’s email doreen.andoh@graphic.com.gh