Mobile telecommunication giant, MTN through its Foundation, has marked this year’s World Malaria Day celebration with a screening and treatment of the disease among residents of Somanya and its environs in the Eastern Region.

It said the initiative formed part of its numerous Corporate Social Responsibilities, aimed at complementing the efforts of the National Malaria Control Programme and the Ghana Health Service in eradicating the disease. This it said was done through its MTN Foundation in partnership with the National Malaria Control programme.

In an interview with the media on the side-line of the 2019 World Malaria Day commemoration durbar held in Somanya on Thursday, Madam Rhoderlyn Entsua-Menssah, Manager, Sustainable and Social impact Corporate Services at MTN Foundation said in the past, it had partnered with Non-Governmental Organisations as a way of contributing its quota to the prevention and eradication of the disease.

She said in 2009, the Foundation partnered the Malaria Control Programme to distribute insecticide treated nets and also indoor residual spraying in support of national efforts at eliminating the disease.

“This year, we chose to mark the day alongside the National Malaria Control Programme, with financial support to help it organise it outreach programmes”, she stated.

“In terms of cash, we supported with GHc 10 000.00. We are also aiding them by sending SMS to our subscribers to educate them on malaria prevention, among others”, she added.

Madam Entsua-Mensah underscored the need for the people, especially pregnant women and children below the age of five, to sleep under the treated nets to assist the Government and the Ghana Health Service eradicate the disease.

“According to the Malaria Control Programme, some people use the nets for trap doors and for other purposes contrary to the reasons they were given. Kindly use the nets for the purpose for which they were given to you in order to achieve the zero malaria goal.”

This year’s celebration was marked under the world theme: “Zero Malaria Starts With Me.”