230 Views Posted on 15-Apr-2010 under Health

At least Five hundred households in the Talensi Nabdam District in the Upper East Region have received 1,000 long lasting insecticide nets for children under five years old and pregnant women.

Right to Play, an international humanitarian organization, working in Ghana, distributed the nets to the beneficiaries as part of activities marking this year's World Malaria Day celebration, at Winkongo.

Additionally, the organization in collaboration with Africa Child Mobilization, another non-governmental organization (NGO), held a durbar at Winkongo, to sensitize the people on causes, effects, prevention and management of Malaria.

The National Programme Manager of the humanitarian organization, Mr. Tanko Azzika said malaria continued to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the country and the most frequently reported disease at Out Patient Attendance Department at the country's hospitals.

He said that malaria accounted for more than 18 per cent of deaths at health facilities in the country.

Mr. Azzika explained that Upper East Region was selected for the exercise because it was the most malaria endemic area in the country.

He said that plans were far advanced by the humanitarian organization to educate members of all communities in the district on malaria prevention.

Mr. Azzika said that the organization uses recreational and sporting activities to educate children to become responsible in future.

The humanitarian organization organized a football match as part of the celebration to signify the "kicking out of malaria."

Story: Joyce Quaye (Reporter, Health Digest News)