The Medical Superintendent at the Tafo General Hospital, Dr Mrs Annie Opoku, has disclosed malaria still tops the reported cases affecting pregnant mothers who frequented the health facility for care.
Speaking to the Ghanaian Observer Newspaper during a visit by MTN officials to the hospital in commemoration of the World Malaria Day which falls on the 25th day of April every year, Dr Annie expressed worry about the situation saying many had lost either their lives or their babies through malaria infections.
She has therefore called on government and other health-conscious stakeholders to redouble efforts in ensuring the environment is rid of mosquitoes.
She explained the eradication of mosquitoes wherever they may be found in the country, was the panacea of solving more than half of the health conditions at the hospitals.
Since the causative organism for the malaria disease is the anopheles mosquito, Dr Annie called on the populace, especially residents at the Manhyia North Community where the Tafo Hospital is located to keep their surroundings clean to stem the breeding of the marauding insect .
FIGURES:
Quoting figures to back the worrying situation prevailing at the community and the hospital, Dr Annie stated that in 2014, 4,156 pregnant mothers were treated for the malaria disease. But, the Hospital in 2015 recorded an increase of about 1,151 extra cases in malaria and the figure stood at 5,307.
However, the hospital in 2013 recorded a total of 191,470 as attendance for Out-Patient Department (OPD) on malaria.
The number, Dr Annie indicated decreased to about 161,735 attendances due to efforts of the Ministry of Health and stakeholders.
Last year, 2015, the Tafo Hospital had a further reduction of malaria cases or visits as it recorded 125, 521.
INTERVENTIONS:
According to the Medical Superintendent, government through the Ministry of Health had intensified education on the malaria disease as more outdoor programs were carried out to sensitize the general public especially residents of Tafo and the Manhyia-North which has a population size of about 334,102.
She also recalled the support of other stakeholders and other donor agencies including World Health Organization,(WHO) who have consistently helped in the fight against the malaria disease.
She therefore commended the effort of MTN for taking time to present over 50 mosquito nets to support pregnant women at the hospital and asked that other corporate institutions join the fight against the treatment and eventual elimination of malaria from the Country .
MTN:
Speaking to the paper, Mr Peter Bimpeh, Senior Commercial Manager for MTN-Northern Business District indicated the commitment of the mobile company to join in the fight against malaria especially amongst pregnant women.
He disclosed the Company had therefore with the distribution of over 300 mosquito nets in commemoration of the World Malaria Day kick-starting a new wave of support to preventing nursing mothers and pregnant women in the Nation from being infected with malaria.
Present at the brief presentation ceremony were Mrs Adwoa Obeng, Branches Manager-MTN, Samuel Yeboah, Information Technology Officer, Dickson Amoung-Yam, Technical Manager-MTN and Mrs Charity Darko, Corporate Affairs Manager, MTN-Northern Business District.
