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A five-day mass distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets under the slogan “For a Good Life, Get Your Treated Mosquito Net” will be launched by the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate.
The region will get 2,282,696 nets at no cost to residents in the region as part of this program, which runs from Thursday, July 18, to Monday, July 22, 2024.
This initiative is being led by Dr. Emmanuel Tenkorang, the Ashanti Regional Health Director, who highlights how vital it is to eradicate malaria in the area.
The substantial socioeconomic toll that malaria exacts on the country and the area was emphasized by Dr. Tenkorang.
“Malaria, aside from its health implications, has a huge socio-economic burden in the region and the nation as well. It has been the leading cause of Out-patient Department (OPD) reported cases in the region, although preventable; the disease remains a public health menace” he noted.
Dr. Tenkorang emphasized the importance of recognizing official distribution point attendants.
“It’s only a trained distribution point attendant with a Ghana Health Service information tag that will be at the distribution point to distribute the nets. So people should take keen note about it. This caution aims to ensure the public receives genuine and safe mosquito nets from authorized personnel only” he stated.
Dr. Tenkorang advised beneficiaries on the proper use of the Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLIN).
He recommended, “Beneficiaries should air the LLIN in the shade for 24 hours or more before sleeping in it to avoid discomforts such as heat, body itching, etc., when you sleep in the nets.”
“People should wash their LLIN with mild soap (Key soap, Lux, Sunlight, Duck soap, etc.) only once every three months and avoid washing LLIN in rivers or ponds to prevent pollution of water with chemicals in the nets” he added.
Households must participate in this campaign in order to obtain free nets during this distribution phase.
The increasing number of OPD malaria cases—which rose from 804,112 in 2022 to 924,847 in 2023 underlines the necessity of this program.
With 321,418 instances of simple malaria from January to March 2022, 386,321 cases from January to March 2023, and 413,189 cases from January to March 2024.
This distribution effort is essential for public health in the Ashanti area because of the large surge, which necessitates quick and efficient action.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com/Akwadaa Nyame
