Kwahu South District recorded over 63,000 malaria cases last year

Simpoa (E/R), May 25, GNA- The Kwahu South District recorded 63,404 malaria cases at the Out-Patient-Department (OPD) at the Atibie and Nkawkaw Hospitals and various health centres and clinics last year. Out of the number, 17,038 were children under five years and 54 of them lost their lives. About 1,167 of the cases were pregnant women. This was disclosed by the District Director of Health Services (DDHS), Dr. Joseph Larbi Opare, at the Child Health Promotion and Malaria Awareness week campaign at Simpoa.

He said the cases recorded in the district called for conscious efforts to control the disease.

The Director who explained the main causes of the disease, advised the people to prevent mosquito bites and breeding places in their environment by burying empty containers, empty food cans, and coconut shells, which could stall water for mosquitoes breeding. Dr Opare said chloroquine is among the recommended drug for treating the malaria disease and advised them to take the right dosage for adults and children.

In an address read for him, the Eastern Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Ebenezer Denkyira, said 117 children under five years died in the region at the first quarter of this year. He said malaria is a serious disease, which affects the growth of children.

Some student nurses and other health staff undertook a clean-up exercise in the community to sensitise the people on environmental cleanliness.

The Chief of Simpoa, Nana Kwadwo Nyaakum, appealed to the district assembly to construct boreholes in the community to save the people from water-borne diseases and also rehabilitate the Hweehwee-Simpoah roads. May 25 04