Coronavirus shouldn’t distract us from malaria fight – First Lady

First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo has said the current focus on COVID-19 should not distract Ghanaians from the fight against malaria.

According to Mrs Akufo-Addo, malaria continues to claim too many lives in Africa.

Available statistics from the Ghana Health Service revealed that the country recorded a total of 54 malaria deaths between January and March this year.

Sixteen out of the 54 malaria deaths occurred among children under five.

Also, a total of 1,001,070 malaria cases was recorded between January and March 2020 in the country.

Out of the 1,001,070 malaria cases, 28,764 were pregnant women and 21,201, children under age five.

In a Facebook post on Friday, 3 July 2020, Mrs Akufo-Addo stated: “As we continue to fight this COVID-19 pandemic, one of our oldest foes, malaria continues to plague Africa. Zero malaria is achievable when we all show commitment and collaborate better. It requires both our individual and collective effort.”