BAK records reduction in malaria cases

Kuntanase (Ash), Feb 19, GNA - The Bosomtwe-Atwima-Kwanwoma District recorded a reduction in malaria cases from 68 percent in 2000 to 46.3 percent last year.

Mr Bright Addai-Mununkum, the District Chief Executive, who announced this, said the fight against malaria would be intensified this year to ensure that the incidence of malaria was reduced drastically in the district.

Speaking at the awards and dinner night organised by the District Health Administration at Kuntanase as part of activities marking the first anniversary of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), he commended the health personnel for their untiring efforts.

Mr Addai-Mununkum announced that the district assembly would this year construct a modern mortuary complex for the Kuntanase Government Hospital to alleviate the plight of the people in the district who travel to either Bekwai or Kumasi to preserve the bodies of their dead relatives.

Besides this, he said, it will also earn the district some revenue.

Dr Kamaldeen Hussein, the District Director of Health Services, disclosed that government spent a total of 34.2 million cedis on 6,187 financially vulnerable people like the aged and children under five years on their health bills in the district.

He said this was to ensure that financial barrier did not prevent the aged and children from getting health care in accordance with government exemption policy.

Dr Hussein said last year, the district health administration strengthened its partnership with stakeholders like the Centre for The Development of People (CEDEP) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the assembly.

He commended the assembly for financing the Roll Back Malaria programme, family planning and the construction of a theatre and wards at the Kuntanase government hospital.