Takoradi, Sept 21, GNA - The National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) has presented 400 insecticide treated nets (ITNs) to students of Takoradi Polytechnic, signalling a quest by the relief agency to make the nation's leading killer disease, malaria, a core part of its activities. Mr Japheth Baidoo, the Western Regional Coordinator of NADMO, presented the nets to Mr Jones Addai-Marfo, the Registrar of the Polytechnic. Ghana has an estimated 8.3 million malaria cases every year.

The rationale for the collaborative venture between the Polytechnic and NADMO is not in doubt as the Polytechnic has a huge duct which is conducive for the breeding of anopheles mosquitoes, the carriers of the parasites that cause malaria. Mr Baidoo said the donation was part of the efforts by NADMO to curb malaria especially among students.

Beyond the donation NADMO, through a World Bank-funded project, is to facilitate the construction of storm drainage systems along identified disaster prone zones in the country and Takoradi Polytechnic is to benefit from that project. This, he said, will allow for the flow of the duct, christened by students as "River T-Poly." The project, Mr. Baidoo explained, is part of a nationwide effort not only to upgrade facilities that cause disasters but also to stem the breeding of infectious vectors. The Registrar of the Polytechnic, Mr. Addai-Marfo, said the donation was a significant step in the quest to reduce malaria related illnesses among students.

The President of the Students' Representative Council, Mr Richard Nyarkoh, said he would use his tenure to help to address the health needs of students. 21 Sept 10