Accra. Aug. 7, GNA - The Madina West Council of Ulama (Islamic religious leaders) on Saturday undertook a Health Walk exercise through the principal streets of the community to prepare the Muslim brethren and as a prelude to usher in the Ramadan month of fasting.

Ramadan, which is expected to begin next week saw the participation of many of the residents led by the Chief Imam of Madina Zongo, Sheikh Ibrahim Yunus, Member of Parliament for Alhaji Amadu B. Sorogho and other opinion leaders of the community.

The Health Walk on the theme "Malaria-free Ramadan" started at Zongo Junction, through Firestone to Atomic Junction, North Legon to Libya Quarters and back to Zongo Junction that saw mostly members of the Muslim community out in their numbers with the aged, youth and veiled women and ladies participating in the about two hours Walk.

Sheikh Yunus in an address to the participants after the Walk said fasting has many benefits that not only ensures good health and the soundness of one's body and mind but has direct influence on the psychological and physique of the fasting individual.

He said that Islam wants a Muslim to be healthy, clean, alert, agile and energetic and it is for this reason that Prophet Mohammed (P.B.U.H) said 'Fast to be healthy" and that it is acknowledged that fasting ensures good health and the soundness of one's body and mind.

Sheikh Yunus said unfortunately Malaria sometimes militates against the gains and benefits derived from such health exercises, especially among children and pregnant women with high growth rate in deprived communities.

"We have to intensify the fight against malaria by promoting cost-effective interventions with the use of insecticide- treated bed nets, intermittent preventive treatment for malaria in pregnancy and the constant upkeep of good body and environmental hygiene".

Sheikh Yunus said the Council of Ulama has therefore recommended interventions such as the re-introduction of sanitary inspectors and insecticide spraying of open drainages and effective waste management within the community.

The other interventions include implementation of the National Malaria Control programme and to expedite action on plans to site a full government hospital within the community to supplement efforts in protecting the people in the community against the menace of malaria.

Alhaji Sorogho, Member of Parliament expressed satisfaction with the turn-out and called for the people to ensure a common purpose of unity to ensure the overall development of the community.

He urged the people to make the exercise a regular one, noting that their spiritual upliftment can only be found on a sound mind and body.

Alhaji Sorogho said the community has seen an improvement in the water and electricity supply with a number of transformers to be installed soon to improve electricity supply while the construction of roads in the various suburbs would soon be improved.

Abdul-Rahman Rahim, Assembly member for Madina Zongo advised the people to assist the District Assembly in keeping their environment clean and to desist from dumping refuse in gutters and drains.