Tarkwa (W/R) Feb. 5, GNA - Records at the Children's Ward of the Tarkwa Government Hospital, Tarkwa indicate that malaria ranks high among other cases in the admission of children.

Sister Victoria Pepprah-Mensah, Nursing Officer in-charge of the Paediatrics Unit of the Hospital said this during the 2004 Performance Review Meeting of the Hospital at Tarkwa on Wednesday.

She said in 2004, 846 malaria cases were recorded as against 631 in 2003. Severe anaemic cases due to malaria accounted for 320 in 2004 while 234 were recorded in 2003. Diarrhoea cases were 114 and 85 pneumonia cases were reported in 2004 as against 112 and 42 in 2003. Sister Pepprah-Mensah prescribed the use of treated mosquito net to prevent mosquito bites, spraying and clearing of surroundings while children should not be allowed to stay outside for a long time in the night to avoid mosquito bites.

She said, however, that parents complained that the cost of the nets was high and could not afford to buy them.

Sister Pepprah-Mensah observed that cases were not reported on time until they were getting out of hands and appealed to parents to send their children to the nearest health centre or hospital to avoid complications.

She said one major problem facing the ward was the lack of nurses. Mr. Anokye Paintsil, Blood Programme Organizer, said 237 units of blood were collected at the blood bank, which was set up in the last quarter of 2004.

He said the target this year was 1200 units and appealed to individuals and organizations to help in the blood donation drive. Mr Paintsil mentioned staffing, motivational materials for donors and well equipped breeding room as some of the constraints facing the bank.