Today is being observed as Africa Malaria Day under the theme, "Communities Rolling Back Malaria".

In Ghana, activities marking the day are being held at Apam in the Central Region.

The focus this year is on communities, with more education targeted at health workers, mothers, shopkeepers, birth attendants among others who provide the first point of contact for sick people living in remote, under-served areas.

It also seeks to recognize and reward those whose efforts often go unrewarded to encourage them to get involved in malaria control of by keeping their environment clean, promoting and using insecticide-treated bed nets and seeking prompt treatment for themselves and their children.

Africa Malaria Day is the outcome of a summit by Heads of States from 44 malaria-afflicted countries on 25th April, 2000 at Abuja, Nigeria. The Abuja Declaration chose the date to eradicate malaria in Africa by 2005.

Dr. G.K. Asamoah, Director Public Health, Ghana Health Service, at a press briefing in Accra yesterday said malaria contributes to poverty and low productivity in poor countries. "It is estimated that the annual economic burden of malaria in Africa is about US$1.7 billion or 1% of the Gross Domestic Product."

Dr. Asamoah said many people do not know that malaria is the second major killer, after HIV/AIDS. They merely consider it as a common disease and this has hindered efforts to check the malaria menace in Ghana.

He said 44% of outpatients seen at health centres suffer from malaria and it causes 22% of under-five mortality in Ghana.

He said malaria is a setback to Africa's development and should be tackled in a collaborated manner and not be left for a single institution. "Malaria is more than a health issue as the inactions of other sectors may increase or decrease the malaria disease burden. In addition malaria impacts adversely on productivity of all sectors of the economy. All sectors therefore need to work together to reduce the social and economic impact of malaria, hence the new initiative termed 'Roll Back Malaria", Dr. Asamoah said.

He called on the Ghana Education Service (GES) to play an advocacy role for malaria eradication in the educational sector.

Prof. Agyeman Badu Akosa, Director General, Ghana Health Service said it is sad that accessibility to orthodox medical treatment in Ghana is very poor. Only 22 % receive prompt and accurate treatment when they have malaria.

He said most malaria patients prefer home treatment instead of going to the hospital. "It is the chemical seller, the community health agent, traditional birth attendant as well as drug peddlers who are treating these diseases. It is therefore apt to recognize their role and correct them where they are wrong and support them logistically when necessary."