By Samira Larbie, GNA
Accra, July 21, GNA – The RBM Partnership to End Malaria has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ghana’s malaria elimination efforts through strengthened primary healthcare, sustainable financing and local manufacturing of health commodities.
The RBM (Roll Back Malaria) Partnership is the world’s largest multi-stakeholder partnership dedicated to coordinating efforts to eliminate malaria.
Dr Michael Adekunle Charles, the Chief Executive Officer of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, gave the assurance when he, together with some officials of Hope for Future Generations (HFFG), paid a courtesy call on Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, the Deputy Minister of Health, in Accra on Monday.
Dr Charles commended Ghana for its leadership in malaria control, particularly the early adoption of the malaria vaccine, saying that had become a model for other African nations.
“Ghana is one of the first countries that adopted the malaria vaccine, and we are seeing the positive ripple effects in other countries,” he said.
Although malaria still accounts for about 40 per cent of outpatient department (OPD) cases, Dr Charles noted that Ghana had made significant progress in reducing malaria-related deaths.
He expressed concern over declining donor funding and increasing co-financing requirements from development partners, describing financing as one of the biggest challenges facing malaria programmes across Africa.
Dr Charles said RBM would engage President John Dramani Mahama on establishing a Ghana End Malaria Council to mobilise private sector resources to complement government funding.
Similar councils in more than 12 African countries had raised over US$500 million in the past two years to support malaria interventions, he said.
He also highlighted RBM’s partnerships with organisations including the Global Fund, Mastercard Foundation, the Gates Foundation, and the World Bank to strengthen community health systems and improve access to malaria commodities.
Dr Charles stressed that eliminating malaria required a multi-sectoral approach involving agriculture, education, infrastructure, climate and environmental management.
“We cannot end malaria from a health perspective alone. Everyone has a role to play,” he said.
He welcomed Ghana’s emphasis on self-reliance, saying RBM would continue providing technical assistance while supporting efforts to mobilise resources and strengthen malaria control across the country.
Dr Ayensu-Danquah, on her part, described malaria as Ghana’s leading disease burden despite reductions in mortality.
She said visits to health facilities across the country consistently showed malaria as the leading cause of outpatient attendance and a major contributor to maternal and child illness.
“Malaria is still number one. Whether you go to the Northern, Eastern or Central Region, it remains our biggest burden of disease,” she said.
The Deputy Minister said the Government’s flagship Free Primary Healthcare Programme was central to reducing malaria through prevention, early diagnosis and treatment at the community level.
She said the Government would strengthen Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds by retraining community health workers, nurses, physician assistants and midwives, improving laboratory services and expanding preventive healthcare.
“If Partners want to support Ghana, the primary healthcare space is where we need assistance—in training, diagnostics, laboratories, vaccination and community outreach,” she said.
Dr Ayensu-Danquah said Ghana was also pursuing health sovereignty by increasing domestic financing and reducing dependence on external assistance.
She said lessons from recent reductions in donor funding had reinforced the need for sustainable local solutions.
“We welcome partnerships, but ultimately it is Ghanaian children and Ghanaian families that we must protect. We have to build sustainable financing from within,” she said.
The Deputy Minister also identified local pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing as a national priority, calling for technology transfer and support to Ghanaian-owned companies to strengthen the country’s health security.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: Samira Larbie