Cuba to assist Ghana fight malaria

Accra, May 8, GNA - A team of Cuban experts which is in the country to assist in the eradication of malaria through the use of Biolarvicides on Monday called on the Minister of Health, Major Courage Quashigah (rtd).

The team from the Labiofam Grupo Empresarial, a biological research and technological enterprise in Havana, Cuba, specializes in the production of vaccines for plants, animals and humans. Led by Mr Felix Quintanar Pulido, Vice President of Labiofam, they would explore the possibility of constructing a Labiofam plant, conduct a feasibility study and visit most endemic areas during their one-week stay.

The Cuban experts would meet Ghanaian stakeholders, have a roadmap and sign a Memorandum of Understanding for the implementation of the project.

The visit is a follow-up to a six-month pilot project they undertook in Ghana last year within La; Kpeshie; Trade Fair; Chemu Lagoon; Southern Command of the Military Headquarters at Kpeshie, La Beach Hotel and La Palm Hotel.

Mr Pulido said the project involved the use of biological agent to treat water bodies and block the larvae from growing to become mosquitoes.

He explained that the biological agents used in treating the water had been approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) and were harmless to human health.

"We could treat the water and people could also drink or use the same for domestic work without it harming anybody." He explained that after the use of the agent in treating the water bodies, the National Malaria Control Programme with other stakeholders monitored and reported that there was a drastic reduction of mosquito nuisance.

Major Quashigah commended the Cuban experts for their assistance to help Ghana to eradicate malaria, which accounted for 40 per cent of all outpatient attendances in health facilities and was responsible for 18 per cent of all deaths in children under five years. "The real economic burden of malaria and its impact on our Gross Domestic Product is yet to be ascertained and include cost of preventive and treatment drugs, training, maintaining health care providers and cost of labour due to sick leave." 8 May 06