By Rachel Kakraba
Dr. Kezia Malm, Programme Manager, National Malaria Elimination Programme, has encouraged Ghanaians to continue the use of malaria interventions introduced in the fight against the disease.
She said although the fight against the disease could be challenged by the threat the new mosquito breed poses, studies are being carried out to tackle all emerging challenges that could be associated with it.
“What we can do is give you the information and the tools, but you have to protect yourself. Let’s use the repellent; let’s use indoor residual spraying.”
Dr. Malm was speaking to GBCNEWS as Ghana joins the rest of the global community to mark this year’s World Malaria Day.
World Malaria Day is observed annually on 25th April. This year’s commemoration is on the theme: “Time to Deliver Zero Malaria: Invest, Innovate and implement.
Dr. Malm called for more investment, community ownership, and resources towards the elimination of malaria in Ghana by 2028. She also encouraged the public to always ensure they test positive for malaria before treatment. This, she said, is to prevent resistance to the malaria vector.
“If we happen to feel unwell, let’s be sure it is malaria because taking medicines in a haphazard way contributes to resistance formation.”
Malaria prevalence in the country is reported to have decreased from 27.5% in 2011 to 8.6% in 2022. There is also an improved testing rate, from 38% in 2012 to 98% in 2022, and malaria-related deaths have also been reduced by 95% from 2012 to 2022.
