Cuban organisation supports MOH in the fight against malaria

Dr. Yudith Hernandez Garcia, Vector Control Specialist with Pharmaceutical and Biological Laboratories of Cuba (Labiofam Entrepreneurial Group), a heath oriented non-governmental organisation, on Thursday pledged support towards the eradication of mosquitoes in the country.

She noted that the company had identified 629 positive or intensive mosquito breeding sites, which needed critical attention in the Greater Accra, Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions.

Addressing the media in Accra, Dr Garcia explained that within the Accra Metropolis, a total of 230 positive breading sites had been identified; Kumasi Metropolis 245 positive breading sites and Sunyani Municipality, 154 sites.

She said a control programme developed in conjunction with the Ministry of Health through the Ghana Health Services, would be implemented with the support of 22 Cuban Specialists, Local Advisor and local assemblies’ structures.

“The project involves actions by Labiofam reinforced by qualified technical staff, larval control with the use of biological larvicides, community education activities, advice and training organisations that could help in the sustenance of the project”, she explained.

She said the company had been able to produce two natural chemicals which were being used in 30 countries across South America, Africa and Asia in the fight against mosquitoes.

“In those countries, our enterprises have vector control specialist teams working together with their respective Ministries of Health in the fight against malaria, and other diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, black flies and other insects.

Mr. Dan Osman Mwin, Head of Public Relations, Ministry of Health, expressed government’s appreciation to Labiofam for its commitment towards the eradication of mosquitoes in the country.

The Labiofam Entrepreneurial Group is a Cuban government owned enterprise which manufactures chemical and biological drugs for human and animal use.**