People & Lifestyle
Zero Malaria starts now: National Malaria Elimination plan officially launched.
The National Malaria Elimination programme of the Ghana Health Service has launched a strategic plan to completely eradicate malaria from the country.
Malaria, a major public health and socioeconomic problem in Ghana is a leading cause of morbidity in Ghana, particularly among children under age of Five and pregnant women.
The National Malaria Elimination strategic plan aims to reduce malaria mortality by 90% by 2028 using 2022 as baseline, also reduce malaria case incidence by 50% by 2028 using the same baseline and finally to eliminate malaria in 21 districts with very low malaria burden by 2028.
Speaking at the launch ceremony of the National Malaria Elimination strategic plan program, the Programme Manager for NMEP – Ghana, Dr. Keziah L. Malm briefly presented a background of the current malaria control interventions in Ghana, progress with malaria control, malaria elimination agenda and role of case management towards malaria elimination.
According to Dr. Keziah, malaria costs Ghana up to 6% of GDP each year. Costs from lost productivity are; Ghanaians lose about 1-9 workdays per episode of malaria even when present at work, productivity is reduced and caregivers lose about 5 days of work taking care of a child with malaria.
Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr. Anthony Nsiah – Asare gave remarks on behalf of the President during the launch ceremony of the National Malaria Elimination strategic plan. He further acknowledged the Ghana Health Service and the Ministry of Health for their substantial contribution towards the elimination of malaria in the country.
“I am greatly honored and grateful for the opportunity to mark the exception of a pivotal move in our national development. Malaria elimination is possible and will be achieved in Ghana, over the last 7 years, evidence shows a drastic decline in malaria cases and deaths and as a country, we celebrate with great honor and pride the enormous contribution of all stakeholders that have cumulated in saving millions of live”, he remarked.
