Ghana host RBM annual malaria workshop

Ghana is currently hosting the Annual RBM Partnership to End Malaria Vector Control Working Group, which began on October 27, 2024, in Accra, Ghana.

The event has brought together representatives from 36 African, European, and US countries, the Ministry of Health Ghana, and other key stakeholders to discuss the management of severe malaria across all levels of the health service.

Ghana accounts for 2.2% of global malaria cases and deaths, making it one of the 15 highest burden malaria countries in the world. It also represents 4% of malaria cases in West Africa.

Despite this, between 2020–2021, Ghana saw significant progress in malaria control, with cases remaining stable at 165 cases per 1000 of the population at risk, and deaths decreasing by 1.7% (from 0.39 to 0.38 per 1000 of the population at risk over the same period). To reduce the burden of malaria in the country, Ghana introduced the high burden, high impact approach in November 2019.

During his address, Andrew Africa, Regional Coordinator (Engagement Manager) IVCC/TT3 Co-Chair, divided participants into two roundtable discussions to identify the challenges, barriers, and facilitators to the effective management of severe malaria in Africa.

One key challenge identified was the limited awareness of updated guidelines and strategic documents among frontline health workers, leading to the misuse of non-recommended medications like α-βarteether. Saibu emphasized the need to ensure appropriate treatments during pregnancy and highlighted the adoption of the WHO directive on the use of rectal artesunate.

To address these issues, it was recommended to establish innovative dissemination channels for guideline awareness and collaborate with professional organizations to enrich training materials.

Additionally, the forum discussed areas for improvement in severe malaria management, highlighting insufficient coordination among government agencies, inadequate referral linkages, and a lack of human resources as barriers.

Recommendations included measures to minimize wastage of injectable artesunate, enhance data management through scaling up electronic medical records, and strengthen referral systems.

The extension of severe malaria surveillance to patients older than 5 years was also proposed.

To implement these changes, actionable plans for sustained recruitment and training are necessary, along with committed advocacy at all levels to ensure timely fund disbursement and institutional support.

The workshop emphasized the need for a multifaceted approach to address severe malaria in Africa, focusing on collaborative efforts, evidence-based practices, and strategic resource allocation.

With Africa carrying the largest malaria burden globally, addressing the challenges of severe malaria management on the continent is crucial and urgent.