3.6 million mosquito nets to be distributed for free in Ashanti Region

The Ashanti Regional Health Directorate is to commence the distribution of long lasting insecticide mosquito nets to 3.6 million residents as part of measures to reduce the burden of malaria to about 10 per cent of OPD cases. Malaria accounts for 35 per cent of OPD attendance in the various health facilities across the country. The figure, according to the Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Emmanuel Tenkorang, is a 15 per cent reduction five years ago. He said the drive is to further reduce malaria cases in the region. “We have so far registered 1.6 million households in Ashanti region and we are to distribute a total of 3.6 million bed nets,” he said.

He added: “As at now, we have been able to reduce the burden of malaria in the country from 45% of OPD cases to about 30% but we still have a long way to go. We want to reduce it more to at least below 10%”. Ghana has chalked some success in reducing the rate of malaria, but the number of people, especially children, dying from disease remains a cause for concern. The mosquito net distribution, which will start from Thursday, November 15 to Wednesday, November 21, is targeted at all households in the Ashanti Region. Dr. Tenkorang advised the public to use the treated mosquito net for its intended purpose. “It will be very unfortunate to take the mosquito net for any other purpose other than sleeping in it. We don’t want a situation where we see the nets hanging in inappropriate places because we have invested hugely in getting it to reduce to burden of malaria in the country,” he said. The long lasting insecticide nets will be distributed free of charge to all persons who participated in the registration exercise. By Ibrahim Abubakar|editors.3news.com|Ghana