Mankranso (Ash), April 30, GNA - The Ahafo-Ano South District on Thursday launched this year's African Day of Malaria celebration at Mankranso.

The programme attended by 300 people including chiefs, assembly members and heads of departments was aimed at creating the awareness of the disease for the people to know its causes and prevention. Mr Kwaku Obeng Boateng, the District Chief Executive at the launch of the programme said controlling the enormous health impact associated with malaria had become a global concern. He noted that in a high transmission zone of malaria like Ghana, efforts should be made from the national level with the help of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and global Fund to fight against the disease.

Mr Boateng also said the District Assembly had been supporting the District Health Directorate with funds in its malaria awareness campaigns to reduce the prevalence of the disease and appealed to the Ghana Pharmacy Board to recommend the best drug for the treatment of the disease.

Mr Boateng stressed the need for the people to sleep in the Insecticide Treated Mosquito Nets (ITMN) to prevent the disease. Mrs Mary Kodua, acting District Director of Health Services said the District recorded 12,416 cases of malaria as against 16,922 in 2005. She noted that the increase in recorded cases needed concerted efforts to fight against the disease and called on the staff of the District Directorate of Health Services to intensify their campaigns in the fight.