Ahanta West achieves milestone with zero malaria deaths in four years

In a significant public health achievement, the Ahanta West Municipal in Ghana has not recorded any malaria-related deaths in the last four years. This success was highlighted by Mr. Emmanuel Kofi Tamakloe, the Municipal Director of Health Services, during a durbar and donation event organized by Yinson Ghana and the West Africa Rescue Association to commemorate World Malaria Day in Kejebril.

Under the theme “Health Equity, The Cornerstone for Achieving Malaria Elimination in Ghana,” Mr. Tamakloe attributed this achievement to several key interventions. These include early diagnosis and prompt treatment of malaria cases, widespread distribution of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs), and effective Larval Source Management (LSM). The LSM initiative, in collaboration with Zoomlion Ghana Limited, involved mapping and spraying 474 mosquito breeding sites, leading Ahanta West to top the league table among the seven LSM-implementing districts in the Western Region.

The focus on community engagement and the strengthening of the primary healthcare system were also crucial. These strategies brought healthcare services closer to residents, addressing environmental and social factors that increase malaria risk under the Universal Health Coverage framework.

Significantly, Kejebril, once ranked as the 14th highest malaria-prone community in the region, has seen remarkable improvement. Through concerted malaria intervention efforts, the local health center now ranks third best in reducing malaria morbidity compared to annual cases in 2022 and 2023. “No wonder we are celebrating this year's commemoration in Kejebril,” remarked Mr. Tamakloe.

He emphasized that sustained funding, strong surveillance systems, and continuous community involvement are essential for maintaining zero malaria deaths and achieving the ambitious goal of eradicating malaria by 2030. Mr. Tamakloe also praised local health facilities for their dedication to reducing annual malaria morbidity and maintaining zero malaria deaths.

Despite these achievements, the municipality recorded 33,065 malaria cases last year, affecting 512 pregnant women and 8,053 children under five. Mr. Tamakloe called on health workers, partners, stakeholders, and community leaders to intensify their efforts against malaria, aligning with the World Health Organization's vision of a world free from malaria.