Nana Yaw Peprah, deputy programmes manager for the National Malaria Elimination Program under the auspices of the Ghana Health Service, has said that about ten million cases of malaria were suspected across Ghana in 2022, but only 5.2 million were confirmed.
According to the latest World Malaria Report, published in December 2022, malaria claimed the lives of an estimated 619 000 people in 2021, compared to 625 000 in 2020. There were some 247 million new cases of malaria in 2021, compared to 245 million in 2020.
Speaking with Kweku Nhyira Addo on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Tuesday (25 April), Dr Peprah said, “So if you feel like you have headache or fever, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have malaria; you need to be tested first.”
“Also remember that every medication has adverse effects, so if you are going to take medication you actually don’t need, then you may have an unnecessary effect you could have prevented if you had not taken that medication.”
He, however, advised that before taking any medication for malaria, visit the pharmacy or hospital to get the right medication.
“So the first thing is that the prevalence has gone, and not all suspected malaria cases will be confirmed as malaria, so test before you treat,” Dr Peprah said.
Asaase Radio 99.5 broadcasts on radio via 99.5 in Accra, 98.5 in Kumasi, 99.7 in Tamale, 100.3 in Cape Coast and on our affiliates Bawku FM 101.5 in Bawku, Beats FM 99.9 in Bimbilla, Somua FM 89.9 in Gushegu, Stone City 90.7 in Ho, Mining City 89.5 in Tarkwa and Wale FM 106.9 in Walewale
Tune in or log on to broadcasts online: www.asaaseradio.com, Sound Garden and TuneIn
Follow us on Twitter: @asaaseradio995
Live streaming: facebook.com/asaaseradio99.5. Also on YouTube: Asaase Radio Official.
Join the conversation. Call: 020 000 9951 or 059 415 7777. Or WhatsApp: 020 000 0995.
#AsaaseRadio
#TheVoiceofOurLand
