The Ashanti Regional Health Directorate will commenced a five-day mass distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticide
Treated Nets dubbed,”For a Good Life, Get Your Treated Mosquito Net.”
This campaign, which will begin on Thursday 18th to Monday 22nd July, 2024 will see that 2,282,696 nets are distributed freely to households that were registered during the registration period.
Dr. Emmanuel Tenkorang, the Ashanti Regional Health Director, is spearheading this campaign, emphasizing the critical importance of combating malaria in the region.
Dr. Tenkorang highlighted the severe socio-economic burden malaria imposes on both the region and the nation.
He noted, “Malaria, aside from its health implications, has a huge socio-economic burden in the region and the nation as well.
It has been the leading cause of Out-patient Department (OPD) reported cases in the region, although preventable; the disease remains a public health menace.”
Dr. Tenkorang emphasized the importance of recognizing official distribution point attendants.
He stated, “It’s only a trained distribution point attendant with a Ghana Health Service information tag that will be at the distribution point to distribute the nets. So people should take keen note about it.”
“This caution aims to ensure the public receives genuine and safe mosquito nets from authorized personnel only.”
Dr. Tenkorang advised beneficiaries on the proper use of the Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLIN).
He recommended, “Beneficiaries should air the LLIN in the shade for 24 hours or more before sleeping in it to avoid discomforts such as heat, body itching, etc., when you sleep in the nets.”
He further added, “People should wash their LLIN with mild soap (Key soap, Lux, Sunlight, Duck soap, etc.) only once every three months and avoid washing LLIN in rivers or ponds to prevent pollution of water with chemicals in the nets.”
This campaign is mandatory for households to receive free nets during this distribution phase.
The urgency of this campaign is underscored by the rising number of OPD malaria cases, which increased from 804,112 in 2022 to 924,847 in 2023.
With uncomplicated malaria cases from January to March 2022 which was 321,418, January to March 2023 being 386,321 and 413,189 from January to March 2024.
This significant rise calls for immediate and effective intervention, making this distribution campaign crucial for public health in the Ashanti region.
Nana Yaw Owusu/Ashanti Region.
