Ghana aims high: On track to eradicate Malaria by 2028

The Plan which was launched by Ghana’s President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo aims to reduce malaria mortality by 90 percent and malaria case incidence by 50 percent by 2028. It also hopes to eliminate malaria in 21 districts across the country with very low malaria burden by the same deadline.

The launch which was done in Accra early this week was under the theme; “Zero Malaria Starts Now – Launching Ghana’s Path to Elimination”

The President in a speech read on his behalf by the Presidential Health Advisor, Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare appealed to all Ghanaians to support the plan. He said, “As we strive further to reduce cases, and eventually record zero morbidity and mortality across the country, it is time for all state institutions to identify and own their respective roles in achieving a malaria-free Ghana.”

He added that despite government’s undeniable responsibility in ensuring a malaria free Ghana, private sector and donor investment was equally critical in realising the goal of eliminating malaria and building robust health systems.

President Akufo-Addo who promised to champion advocacy for resources to cater for the remaining districts, invited domestic partners to invest in the needed vector control interventions in the high burden districts because, “Without adequate resources, it will be difficult, if not impossible to deliver on the goal and objectives of this strategic plan”.

He was optimistic that with a united front Ghana will progress from malaria control to elimination.

Ghana aims high: On track to eradicate Malaria by 2028 Pulse Ghana

Malaria Elimination is Possible

The Director-General, Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Patrick Kuma Aboagye stressed that the consistent reduction in morbidity and mortality over the years affirms the effectiveness of the interventions. Hence, with improved and sustained efforts, Ghana is assured of the goal of elimination.

This is evident in the significant improvement of malaria testing rate from 38 percent in 2012 to 97.8 percent in 2022 while prevalence has reduced from 27.5 percent in 2011 to 8.6 percent in 2022. Another win is that malaria deaths had also reduced noticeably from 2,799 in 2012 to 151 in 2022.

These statistics point to the fact that elimination of malaria is possible with the need political will and commitment as well as sustained efforts from all key stakeholders and actors. To make this possible, Dr. Aboagye announced the establishment of two committees – the National Malaria Elimination Oversight Committee (NMEOC) and the National Malaria Elimination Technical Coordination Committee (NMETCC).

The NMEOC would oversee and provide strategic direction for the elimination of malaria in Ghana through a coordinated and comprehensive national approach, and the NMETCC would provide advisory and technical support to the NMEOC and aid in adapting the WHO guidelines and policies for the country towards the elimination agenda.

Why Ghana Must Eliminate Malaria

Dr. Sharmila Lareef, Multi-Country Assignment Officer for Ghana, Liberia, Gambia and Sierra Leone at WHO said malaria contributes to 85 percent of deaths in Africa, making it a major cause of morbidity and mortality.

She advised that to eliminate malaria in Ghana requires enhanced case detection and management, well developed and strengthened system including excellent quality assurance and surveillance system. Furthermore, is the establishment of anti-malaria supply systems including vaccines, test kits and insecticide treated bed nets, she added.

The Programme Manager for NMEP, Dr Kezia L. Malm observed that since Ghana was a malaria endemic country and one of the eleven countries highly hit by malaria, hence eliminating the virus was the sure way of preventing the entire 30.8 million population from being at risk.

More so, malaria is the highest disease expenditure on the National Health Insurance Scheme and reduced Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 0.2 to six percent. Costs from lost in productivity are; a lose of about 1-9 workdays per episode of malaria even when present at work, productivity is reduced. Caregivers lose about five days of work taking care of a child with malaria.

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