World Malaria Day: Desist From Self-Medication In Treating Malaria – Ghanaians Advised
The Clinical Director of Koforidua Central Hospital, Dr. Foster Amponsah, has cautioned Ghanaians who suspect malaria to desist from self-medication to prevent resistance, making it more difficult to cure the disease.
He made this statement when Bliss GVS Pharma donated anti-malaria drugs to the hospital ahead of the World Malaria Day.
Statistics show that 5.9 million Ghanaians were diagnosed with malaria in 2020. The number was a considerable drop from the previous year, which was 6.7 million.
According to the Clinical Director of the Eastern Regional hospital, Dr. Foster Amponsah, “Ghana is doing well in the fight against malaria with the roll-out of the malaria vaccine but the centuries-old disease is still endemic and needs the considerable attention”.
He further indicated that “the prevalence rate in the region is high even though they have been able to achieve some significant reductions”.
The Clinical Director points to the fact that “malaria-related cases is still high at out-patient department but the death-to-malaria cases has decreased”.
Dr. Amponsah advised the citizenry to “adhere to the laid down measures regarding the prevention and treatment of malaria and desist from self medication which has the tendency to create resistance towards medication”.
Ahead of the 2022 World Malaria Day, Bliss GVS Pharmaceutical has donated GH¢30,000 worth of anti-malaria drugs to the hospital to support the treatment of malaria in the region.
According to the Regional Representative of the Pharmaceutical, Sandra Awuah Nyanor, “the initiative is to help eradicate malaria in Ghana”.