Use treated nets to reduce malaria burden - NGO

Mrs Rose Balaaboore, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Coordinator of the Hope for Future Generations, a health centered NGO, has said the continuous use of long lasting insecticide treated nets is the best antidote to lessen national malaria burden.

She said the country’s weather pattern was conducive for mosquitoes to thrive and breed, indicating that the disease could only be brought under control if people slept under the treated nets.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview to mark this year’s World Malaria Day in Sunyani, Mrs Balaaboore said malaria continues to record high figures in all Out-Patient Department (OPD) cases in the Region.

The World Malaria Day, which falls on April 25, was instituted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to highlight global efforts to control malaria and mobilise action to combat the disease.

She said statistics from the Brong-Ahafo Regional Health Directorate showed that in 2015, malaria recorded the highest percentage of all Out-Patient Department (OPD) cases, accounting to about 30 per cent.

Mrs Balaaboore said 7.2 percent deaths were recorded, with In-patient Department cases recording 27.9 percent at the various health facilities.

She said though sleeping under the insecticide treated nets could be uncomfortable but it is the effective way to avoid mosquito bites at night.