Ghana has seen a year-on-year decrease in malaria cases over 2022, shows data from the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP).
The country has recorded a total of 3,745,398 confirmed malaria infections from January to September 2022, a decline from the 4,133,020 malaria cases recorded in the same period in 2021.
The number of malaria deaths has also decreased, from 196 in 2021 to 120 in 2022.
Dr. Keziah Malm, Programme Manager of the NMEP, attributes the decline in malaria infections to the use of effective prevention interventions such as the use of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN), Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS), larva source management, Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC), and a malaria vaccine pilot and case management program.
She also stated that more people are being tested for malaria before treatment, with a testing rate currently at 97.6 per cent.
The NMEP is also taking further steps to combat malaria, as the fight against the disease has moved from the control phase to the elimination stage.
The Global Fund has provided $47 million in funding for the programme this year, in addition to funding from the government and other organisations.
The NMEP plans to distribute ITNs through antenatal care and child welfare programmes in schools, particularly in rural areas.
The goal for 2025 is to ensure that all individuals are tested for malaria, and those who have not been tested will not have access to malaria treatment using the National Health Insurance card.
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