Use funds wisely to fight malaria – First Lady

General News on Friday, April 26, 2019

Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh

2019-04-26

Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, First Lady, called for judicious use of resources available in the fight against malaria, with the help of donors in the elimination of the disease continuing to decline.

According to her, "the mobilization of national resources has become more urgent than before" if the country wants to achieve its objectives in controlling the burden of malaria.

"I urge all of us to prioritize the resources available and ensure that they are used wisely to help us achieve the goal we have set for ourselves. For example, the district badembly pool fund stipulates that 0.5 percent of the fund should be allocated to malaria control activities at the grbadroots level.

"I urge all bademblies to use this fund as planned for malaria control. The collaboration between the health service and the bademblies should be strengthened to ensure that these funds are used wisely, "she said.

Ms. Akufo-Addo spoke yesterday to a celebration to celebrate World Malaria Day in Somanya, in the Eastern Region.

Held on the theme; "Zero Malaria Begins With Me", the event brought together government officials, development partners, civil society organizations, health workers, traditional leaders and school children to understand the need to personalize actions to reduce malaria in the country.

While welcoming recent progress made in the fight against prevalence, including the reduction of mortality rates, improved treatment of malaria and vaccination, the First Lady warned against "inaction" and complacency "in the fight against malaria.

"The tendency to celebrate our successes and then sink into inertia is unacceptable. We can not afford to be complacent because malaria is not. He attacks and attacks. The only way to defeat it is to act in a coordinated, efficient and flawless way, consistently and effectively, "she advised.

According to Akufo-Addo, it was possible to reach the "zero malaria" goal for the country, as more countries "were moving towards zero cases". We can also do this if we all work together and follow the guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and our national strategy. "

Dr Owen Kaluwa, WHO Country Director, who provided statistics from the 2018 World Malaria Report, found that of the 15 countries that accounted for 80% of the global burden of malaria, all but 1 Were originally from sub-Saharan Africa.

He said African countries should accelerate the pace of malaria control "if we want to achieve a 40% reduction in the number of malaria cases and deaths by 2020 and other goals of the goal." sustainable development 3 ".

Dr. Kaliwa called for "renewed political commitment and investments to eliminate malaria," urging governments to "mobilize all internal and external resources needed to fight malaria while ensuring intersectional and cross-border collaboration."

Dr Keziah Malm, Program Manager of the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), stressed the need for health workers to strictly adhere to the T3 policy; test all suspected cases of malaria, treat only positive cases with an appropriate antimalarial and follow the improvement.

According to her, the presumptive treatment of malaria has, to a certain extent, contributed to "our current mortality rate", apart from the problems of attitude and funding.

"Malaria is treatable. people must take responsibility for their health and malaria needs. Sleep under treated mosquito nets every night and always ask for a malaria diagnostic test before accepting treatment.

"Once the fever is confirmed as malaria, follow the complete treatment as prescribed by a health worker, do not use substandard drugs. Pregnant women must report to health facilities quickly to receive at least five doses of MS for a maximum. protection. If we all play our individual and collective roles with the firm commitment that it starts with me, eliminating malaria in Ghana is achievable, "she said.

For his part, Minister of Health Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, in a speech read on his behalf, expressed the government's determination to mobilize the funds and resources needed to implement strategies to improve the quality of services. care provided in the country.