The Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLS) has called on government to ensure the avilability of malaria vaccines to “target population” in the country.

The Association revealed that in its quest to harness innovation to “extinguish malaria” in Ghana, it has adopted some vital measures. It explained that in commemoration of World Malaria Day today, April 25, 2022, the prevention and control of malaria in the country demands “continuous investment, standardisation and sustained political commitment” by state actors.

“[GAMLS] encourages government and the international community to take steps to make the malaria vaccine available to the target population.”
GAMLS

Contained in a statement, the Association expressed that it will among other things call for standardisation of materials needed for quality work in diagnosis of malaria in health facilities especially “Giemsa stain”, the main reagent for “malaria gold” standard testing. The Medical Laboratory Scientists further requested that testing for malaria should be done before treatment of patients to help avoid wastage of the vaccine and other forms of treatments.

“A lot has been done through the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) to support medical laboratory services with logistics and competency training of qualified personnel over the years. GAMLS posits that malaria microscopy gold standard test is a skill that laboratory scientists go through further training to acquire. The profession recommends the use of competent malaria microscopists for quality and accurate results.”
GAMLS

GAMLS expressed that it is prudent for the profession to take note of the delivery of over 800 microscopes to health facilities in 2021 through Global fund and USAID PMI support to Ministry of Health facilities. Owing to this, the Association emphasized that the move has translated into the improved delivery of malaria diagnosis in health facilities in Ghana.

Meanwhile, the Association has urged the public to get rid of stagnant waters to control the breeding of mosquitoes and further spread of malaria.

“The indiscriminate use of insecticides must be checked to minimise the development of resistant vectors. This will make malaria control a success.”
GAMLS

Hohoe host World Malaria Day

Meanwhile, Deputy Regional Director of Public Health, Dr Senanu Kwesi Djokoto, revealed that Hohoe, a town in the Volta Region hosts the 2022 national World Malaria Day (WMD), on the theme: ‘Advance Equity. Build Resilience. End Malaria.’

He highlighted that the Ghana Health Service was impressed with the support from traditional, religious and political leaders, as well as all other stakeholders in the fight against malaria.

“This indicates the progress made in reducing the incidence of malaria over a number of years through the effective implementation of multiple interventions.We have been privileged in the Volta Region to have most of our respected chiefs being frontline advocates in the fight against malaria.”
Dr Senanu Kwesi Djokoto

Dr Djokoto disclosed that sub-Saharan Africa continues to carry the heaviest malaria burden, accounting for about 95per cent of malaria cases and 96 per cent of deaths in 2020. He explained that about 80 per cent of malaria deaths in the region are among children under five years of age.

“Ghana accounts for 2.1 per cent and 1.9 per cent of the global malaria cases and deaths, making it one of the top 10 highest malaria burden countries in the world.”
Dr Senanu Kwesi Djokoto