Malaria Cases On The Increase In Adaklu District

Malaria cases treated by health facilities in the Adaklu District jumped from 1,228 in 2013 to 8,051 in 2014.

A total of 6,635 cases were also treated between January to October this year.

Mr Sylvanus Sedem Akumani, Adaklu District Disease Control Officer gave these figures at a one-day Malaria Sensitization Workshop held at Adaklu-Tsriefe for chiefs, queens and opinion leaders from 15 communities in the area.

It was under the aegis of GOSANET Foundation, a health focused NGO, in collaboration with the Adaklu-District Health Directorate.

The event was on the theme: “Community Level Malaria Behaviour Change Communication”.

Mr Akumani said the rise in malaria cases in the district was due to the non-use of treated mosquito nets, staying outdoors late in night and the unclean environment.

He said of the four malaria parasites, it was the “plasmodium falaparum” that was common in Africa.

Mr Akumani appealed to the participants to lead the crusade against filth in their communities adding “as chiefs and opinion leaders you should always ensure that your communities are devoid of filth”.

Mr Charles Azagba, Adaklu District Director of Health, appealed to participants to prevail on their people to use the treated mosquito nets given to them.

Mr Samuel Atidzah, Executive Director of GOSANET Foundation, said goal number three of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by world leaders at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit this year was to ensure healthy lives and well-being; reducing child mortality and improving maternal health; tackling HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other diseases by 2030.

He urged participants as leaders of their communities to partner his organization for the achievement of this goal in the district.

During an open forum, many speakers urged health workers to show friendly manners towards clients.