By Erica Apeatua Addo
Akoon (W/R), April 29, GNA-Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF) has joined World Malaria Day celebration to demonstrate its commitment to raise awareness and fight malaria in its host communities.
The programme was organized by the Foundation in partnership with the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Health Directorate provided free health checks, including malaria screening to support Akoon and Booboobo communities, well-being.
Again, Long-Lasting Insecticide-Treated Bed nets (ITNs) and mosquito repellents were distributed to the residents in the two communities.
“Malaria ends with us: Reinvest, Reimagine, reignite” is the theme for this year’s celebration.
Speaking at the event in Akoon, Madam Sandra Deladem Woanyah, Project Manager, GFGF, said they began the day with a clean-up exercise in Akoon and Booboobo communities in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality because they believed cleanliness was their weapon to prevent malaria.
“We observe World Malaria Day to highlight the ongoing impact of malaria in our communities, where it remains a significant cause of illness and death, and to reaffirm our commitment to eliminate it. She noted
Madam Woanyah stated that as a foundation, they have prioritized health for 20 years by investing in initiatives like community outreaches among others, added that, by hosting this event, the Foundation had taken a significant step towards improving health outcomes in their host communities.
Mrs Wilhelmina Tiwaah Duah Morttey, Municipal Director of Health Services in Tarkwa Nsuaem, said in 2023, the directorate recorded 430,919 Outpatient Department Attendance (OPD), with 52,738 malaria cases, accounting for 12.2 per cent of the total attendances.
She observed that in 2024, OPD attendance also increased to 510,439 with 65,167 malaria cases, representing 12.7 of the total attendance.
According to Mrs Morttey, in 2023, there were 8,284 Antenatal Care Attendance (ANC), with 519 malaria cases representing 6.2 per cent, while in 2024, ANC attendance rose to 9,060, but malaria cases decreased to 313.
The Municipal Health Director added that to achieve malaria elimination, the directorate’s intervention includes intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women, ITN distribution, larval source management, prompt diagnosis and treatment, as well as enhanced surveillance.
Mr Alex Damtey, Municipal Environmental Health Officer, indicated that, “On World Malaria Day, we want to clear some misconception that malaria is not caused by eating gari or other foods.”
He explained that malaria transmission occurred through the bite of an infected mosquito, stressed that, “When we allow stagnant water in our communities, it attracts mosquitoes, they breed in these areas, and feed on humans increase the risk of malaria transmission”
Mr Damtey called on all to join forces to combat malaria by keeping their surroundings clean to help eliminate mosquito breeding sites.
GNA
JP/KOA