Malaria reduces in Asante-Akim South

Juaso (Ash), Jan 26, GNA - Malaria in the Asante-Akim South District dropped slightly last year following the introduction of various malaria control programmes.

Though the disease emerged the leading cause of Out-Patient Department (OPD) attendance at the Juaso District Hospital, its increasing trend in the past year for the first time fell below the previous year.

The number of malaria cases recorded at the various health facilities in the district last year was 44,791 as against 15,472 in 2005.

This was revealed at the end-of-year performance review of the District Health Administration at Juaso on Wednesday.

Virtually all the sub-districts recorded a reduction in malaria cases, an achievement largely attributed to the distribution of treated bed nets.

Conversely, teenage pregnancy rose from 14.5 per cent in 2005 to 16.8 per cent in 2006 despite intensive efforts by the district health directorate to halt the trend.

The situation took centre stage in an open forum during which traditional authorities were asked to enact byelaws to deter the youth from engaging in pre-marital sex.

Among the suggestions made were the abolition of video shows and denial of children below 18 years entry to entertainment centres. Dr Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, District Director of Health Services, commended health personnel in the district for their dedication to work and urged them to improve on it this year.

He said to ensure high productivity and the delivery of quality health services to the people, the directorate would embark on a district-wide appraisal system to measure performance of health workers.

Dr Asiedu-Bekoe called for effective collaboration between the public and health workers to facilitate quality health care delivery. Dr Lord Justice Gyamfi-Fenteng, the District Chief Executive, said development could only thrive in a healthy environment and that the government would continue to upgrade health facilities nationwide.