Health News of Monday, 19 November 2012

Source: GNA

New mosquito trapping machine inaugurated

Dr. Kwaku Kakari, in-charge of Western Regional Public Health Unit of the Ghana Health Service, on Tuesday warned Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies against the diversion of money allocated for malaria control into other projects.

He said cleaning the environment and desilting gutters were good environmental practices but did not necessarily mean controlling mosquitoes, as the parasite only rely on clean water to breed and lay it eggs.

Dr. Kakari issued the caution at the launch of Power Wind Pamasonik mosquito trap machine, a new intervention in the malaria control programme, at Takoradi.

He said that was as a result of collaboration between the Western Regional Health Directorate and the Ghana Coalition of NGOs.

The machine, certified by the Ghana Standards Authority and approved by the Ghana Health Service, serves as an added strategy in tackling mosquitoes and malaria.

Dr. Kakari said this complementary strategy could be used hand-in-hand with the long lasting insecticide treated nets and other repellents.

Mr. Albert Arthur, inventor of the trap mosquito machine, said it took him about 11years to invent the machine, amidst frustrations and disappointment by well-meaning Ghanaians.

Mr. Arthur said he was finally assisted by a Nigerian businessman, Mr. Isaac Igoma, Director of Pamasonik Home Appliance Limited, to realize his dream.

Mr. Arthur appealed to adults to help the youth in the country to develop their talents.

Mr. Igoma said Africa must stand on its own, and face its developmental challenges.

Some schools and institutions were presented with the new mosquito machine.