Subheading: Spirited Political Commitment Required to Deliver Zero Malaria
According to Professor Fred Newton Binka, a Professor of Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) School of Public Health, spirited political commitment is necessary to eradicate malaria from Ghana. He spoke on this issue during a webinar organized by UHAS on the theme: “Time to Deliver Zero Malaria: Invest, Innovate, Implement.”
The major challenge to fighting malaria in Ghana is logistics, and political leaders in the country and on the African continent need to find sustainable funding for its elimination. As Prof Binka said, “High political commitment will eradicate malaria in a generation. We have the tools to get there now, China has done it. We will incorporate new tools to get us there faster.”
Malaria is no longer just a health problem in Ghana. It is a logistic problem. Therefore, Ghana and Africa as a whole must wake up to the challenge of eliminating malaria. Prof. Binka, who has led malaria elimination campaigns in parts of China and Myanmar, appealed to stakeholders to hasten the implementation of various structures for malaria elimination, which include the formation of an elimination task force.
To achieve malaria elimination, effective structures, including a surveillance and data management system, must be put in place, and a malaria elimination audit tool should be developed. Facilities, health givers, and seekers all need to be prepared for the elimination campaign. Additionally, the private healthcare industry should be implored to play a key role.
Dr Keziaha Malm, Manager of the National Malaria Control Programme, now rechristened the National Malaria Elimination Programme, said that although the whole nation remained at risk of the disease, elimination was possible. She cited the latest annual data report, which showed a consistent reduction in malaria parasite prevalence. Dr Malm said malaria deaths had reduced and were also reducing in children under five, with most regions recording single-digit malaria deaths.
The nation is recording close to a 100% testing rate for malaria treatment, and confined cases are also on the decrease. Interventions for pregnant women, including medications, and treated nets, were also on the increase, Dr Malm said, and stakeholders were working to improve all indicators. Although admissions increased by 8%, cases had reduced by 20%, she said.
Dr Malm said the Programme had reshaped its strategic plan and changed its name to reflect and that it continued to enjoy unwavering support from the political leadership, including Parliament.
It is essential to increase domestic funding, as waiting for aid alone will not suffice. If the country does not learn to put money into it, a serious problem will arise. The webinar is part of a series of activities by the University to mark this year’s World Malaria Day celebration, which included health walks, debates, and quiz competitions.
The celebration emphasizes the shift from prevention to control. To make a significant difference, Ghana needs spirited political commitment and sustainable funding.