-as Ghana records impressive results in its malaria control programme
The US government has said it is committed to supporting the country to achieving a ‘malaria-free society’ while encouraging healthy living including the use of mosquito nets, and early testing and treatment of malaria.
The U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Stephanie S. Sullivan, said whereas the latest country data shows some remarkable achievements in the fight against malaria, more efforts should be made to sustain the gains.
“We must continue to encourage Ghanaians to adopt healthy behaviours, such as regular bed net use, and prompt testing and treatment of malaria to reduce the risk of serious illness and death.”
It is in line with this that she reiterated the United States’ unwavering commitment, saying, “I look forward to continuing our partnership to achieve our common vision of a malaria-free Ghana.”
Ambassador Sullivan, made these remarks when she joined, virtually, the Government Statistician of the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), Professor Samuel Kobina Annim, and the Program Manager of the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), Dr. Keziah Malm, to launch the 2019 Malaria Indicator Survey (MIS) results.
The launch highlighted impressive results in malaria control, including a nationwide 32 per cent decrease in malaria prevalence in children under five, from 21 per cent in 2016 to 14 per cent in 2019.
The survey, conducted by GSS and NMCP, provides critical data to monitor progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and Ghana’s National Malaria Strategic Plan to achieve malaria elimination and zero malaria deaths by 2030.
With support from the U.S. government, through the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), the 2019 MIS also assists the government of Ghana and its partners to implement malaria prevention, treatment, and control interventions that improve health outcomes for Ghanaians.
Through PMI, the U.S. government partners with 27 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia to control and eliminate malaria. Since 2007, the United States has partnered with the Government of Ghana to improve malaria treatment, control, and prevention.
PMI supports the NMCP to decrease malaria morbidity and mortality by encouraging the use of bed nets; preventing malaria during pregnancy; ensuring that malaria testing and treatment services are available across Ghana; and providing health workers with the knowledge and skills to properly manage malaria.
