Sakumono, Oct 24, GNA - A health officer has appealed to pregnant women to make use of the Intermittent Preventive Treatment (IPT) during the gestation period to prevent malaria infection during pregnancy. Under the IPT, pregnant women are given free Sulphadoxine Pyrimethomine (SP) tablets in three dozes when they visit hospital. Miss Naa Korkor Allotey, Programme Officer of the National Malaria Control Programme, said this at a community durbar on IPT at Sakumono in the Tema Municipality.

Ms Allotey said the first dose of the SP is given to the women during the fourth month of pregnancy while the second and third doses are taken at one-month interval each. She said apart from the SP protecting the mother and the child against malaria, it also prevents anaemia. Ms Allotey said children below the age of five and pregnant women were the most vulnerable to the malaria parasite. She said the immune system of pregnant women becomes weak during pregnancy while that of children below five were not developed to fight the parasite.

Dr Ernestina Mensah-Quainoo, Tema Municipal Director of Health Services, said apart from taking in the SP, pregnant women must sleep under treated mosquito nets and attend anti-natal clinics regularly to ensure safe delivery. The health workers in a drama educated the community members on the importance of getting anti-natal treatments.