Juaso (Ash), Jan 22, GNA - For the third consecutive year, malaria emerged the top cause of Out-Patient Department (OPD) attendance at the Juaso District Hospital in the Asante-Akim South District in 2008. Out of a total of 68,235 hospital attendance recorded, 21,117 representing 33.8 per cent were malaria-related cases. This represents an increase of 4,510 from 16,607 recorded in 2007. Mrs Christiana Aidoo, the District Director of Health Services, disclosed this at the directorate annual performance review meeting held at Juaso on Wednesday. The review was to enable the directorate to take stock of its activities of the previous year and strategise the way forward. It was attended by stakeholders made up of assembly members, traditional leaders, community-based surveillance volunteers and health personnel.

Mrs Aidoo said the directorate would collaborate with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to sensitise the public on the need to keep their environment clean to help minimize malaria cases. She noted that the directorate performed creditably during the year under review despite numerous constraints and urged the staff to double their efforts to improve health delivery in the district. The District Director stated that her outfit would this year focus on prioritizing the improvement of maternal and child health through the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) four and five. Mr Osei Mintah, Administrator of the Juaso Hospital, expressed concern about the frequent breakdowns of the hospital's vehicles and motorbikes which he said were draining the hospital's resources. He also advocated for the tarring of the hospital roads as well as the renovation of staff bungalows which were in poor condition.