Mr Abraham Agbenya Awanu, Adaklu District Health Information Officer, has said 3,402 cases of malaria were recorded in the district last year.

He said in the first quarter of this year, 2,301 cases have already been recorded.

Mr Awanu said the recorded cases were based on clinical diagnosis adding that the relatively high figures this year might be due to the increasing number of people visiting health facilities.

He was speaking at a day’s workshop for 50 Community Malaria Control Advocates (Volunteers) drawn from 34 communities from the Adaklu District.

The event was organized by GOSANET Foundation, a health NGO, in collaboration with the Adaklu District Health Directorate with support from the Global Fund through the National Malaria Programme.

Mr Lynda Buatsi, Adaklu District Health Promotion Officer, said the most dangerous and most common form of malaria was caused by the plasmodium falciparum, which accounted for about 90 to 98 of malaria cases in the country.

She said the disease which can mimic many other diseases could be controlled by the use of the insecticide treated nets, mosquito repellents, clearing and spraying of breeding grounds of the mosquitoes and the education of the people on the causes, signs and symptoms of the disease.

Mr Samuel Atidzah, Executive Director of GOSANET Foundation, commended the volunteers for their commitment to control malaria in their communities.

He urged them to interact with pregnant women in their various communities and encouraged them to attend antenatal clinics.