Agona Swedru, Feb 10, GNA - A total of 1,800 children admitted at the Swedru Government Hospital were suffering from malaria, which killed 80 out of the figure died, age between one to five years. Dr Sekyi Appiah, Agona District Director of Health Services, who announced this at a forum with the Assembly Members, Chiefs, Nurses and opinion leaders to adopt a plan to combat the disease.

He said last year 20,000 cases of malaria were recorded at the district, which was alarming and urged the people to support the Ghana Health Service to put in place effective measures to reduce the effect of the disease.

Dr Sekyi Appiah noted that malaria affected the socio-economic well being of the people and was threatening lives in sub-Sahara Africa. He called on the District Assemblies to give the one percent from the District Assembly Common Fund to the Ghana Health Service to fight malaria, Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS and expressed the hope that with the efficient mechanism put in place the malaria figures recorded last year would be reduced.

He said malaria was the single most important cause of mortality and morbidity in Ghana, accounting for over 40 percent of hospital admissions and 25 percent of the death of people under five years old and 10 percent of all deaths during pregnancy.

Dr Sekyi-Appiah noted that GHS had undertaken an evidence based approach to develop a national communication strategy for malaria, adding that the attempt was intended to make a lasting impact on the control of the disease in Ghana.

Mr Eric Bediako Oppong, District Coordinating Director, said malaria was the number one killer disease and everything must be done to combat it. He urged Assembly Members, Chiefs and opinion leaders to support the crusade. 10 Feb 06