Juaso (Ash), May 19, GNA - Members of the Asante Akim South District Malaria Advocacy Team (DMAT) have urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to ensure that the fight against malaria was made a priority on their development agenda.

This, they said, called for prompt release of the stipulated 0.5 per cent of their share of the Common Fund to support "roll-back malaria programmes" in their respective areas. Although it is mandatory, under the guidelines for the disbursement of the Fund, for the Assemblies to release 0.5 per cent of their share to help to f ight the disease, most of them had over the years failed to do this.

The Team said it was about time all stakeholders joined hands and impressed upon the assemblies, the need to make the money available to help bring down the incidence of malaria. The DMAT members made the call at an advocacy skills training and action plan development workshop held at Juaso. Organised by the Voices for Malaria-Free Future Ghana, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), in collaboration with the Asante Akim South District Assembly, it was meant to equip participants with advocacy skills and also come out with a one-year action plan to combat malaria in the district.

Mr. Emmanuel Fiagbey, Country Director of John Hopkins University, Center for Communication Programmes (JHU/CCP), asked the participants to double their efforts at fighting the disease. He noted that "a malaria-free nation" could be within reach if people sought treatment within 24 hours after showing signs of the disease. Additionally, it was important that patients ensured the completion of prescribed medication.

Mr. Akuamoah Boateng, the District Co-ordinating Director lauded the formation of the DMAT, since malaria had over the years emerged as the topmost cause of Out Patient Department (OPD) attendance at various health facilities in the district. He challenged members of the Team to be committed to the task ahead to rid the district of malaria.