Global pharmaceutical company, Bliss GVS Pharma Ghana has donated varieties of antimalarial drugs and other medicines worth GH₵30,000 to the Koforidua Regional Hospital.

This is in line with the company’s ACT for Africa campaign, an initiative towards a malaria free continent.

The donation was made over the weekend, as part of activities geared towards the commemoration of this year’s World Malaria Day which will be marked on Monday, April 25.

The International Malaria Day, is marked every year to spread awareness about the malaria disease and to promote efforts to prevent malaria.

Speaking to the media after the presentation, Medical Representative of Bliss GVS Pharma Ghana, Madam Sandra Awuah Nyanor, said the donation is in line with the company’s goal to eradicate malaria from Ghana.

She said all attention has shifted to COVID-19 since its emergence in Ghana with many people forgetting that malaria continues to kill a large number of people yearly.

“The donation is an initiative taken by Bliss GVS Pharma Ghana to help eradicate malaria from Ghana. It seems everybody is concentrating on Covid, forgetting that malaria is also killing us. We want to constantly remind everyone that malaria is still here and it is even killing more people than Covid,” she said.

Receiving the medicines on behalf of the hospital, Clinical Director, Dr. Foster Amponsah expressed gratitude to Bliss GVS Pharma Ghana for the gesture.

He said the medicines like LONART will be put to good use.

According to him, Ghana has been able to decrease deaths related to malaria but indicated that malaria admissions are still high and as such it is imperative the general public take preventive measures serious. 

“I want to say a big thank you on behalf of the hospital and our patients to Bliss GVS Pharma Ghana for donating these antimalarial drugs. The fight against malaria is a huge task that requires a collective effort.

"I want to use this opportunity to advise the general public to test for malaria before they begin taking any kind of medication. A lot of people are fond of taking antimalarial drugs anytime they feel unwell without doing the malaria test," Dr. Amponsah said. 

He explained further that the continuous intake of malaria drugs without testing for malaria will cause the drug to be ineffective when one requires treatment for malaria. 

He therefore advised the public to always test for malaria before administering any drug themselves.

Health talk with students

Accompanied by two doctors, the team from Bliss GVS Pharma Ghana also visited the St Martin’s Senior High School at Nsawam where they donated GH₵8,000 worth of medicines.

The doctors also engaged students on preventive measures against malaria and personal hygiene.

Dr. Eduah Godfred Sakyi, a doctor at the Nsawam Government Hospital spoke to the students on the causes of malaria and symptoms of the disease.

He took the students through the various stages of the disease and urged them not to underestimate malaria as statistics have shown that several people have lost their lives to it. 

He advised the students not to self-medicate when they feel unwell but rather report to the nearest clinic or hospital or see a medical officer for testing before taking any medicine.

Dr. Benson Owusu, a medical doctor at the Ridge hospital told students to prioritise their personal hygiene. 

He said it is important for school children to be taught the proper way of cleaning themselves to prevent the spread of bacteria and other diseases.

“Brush your teeth in the morning and in the evening before you sleep. Brush properly. Always ensure that you have good and fresh breath and that no part of your body gives out unpleasant smell.”  

Assistant Headmaster of Administration at the St Martin’s Senior High School, Mr. John Okpante said the school was elated to host the team from Bliss GVS Pharma Ghana. 

He expressed his appreciation to the team for selecting the school out of the many Senior High Schools in the Eastern Region. 

He further used the opportunity to appeal to the company to support the school’s health facility which is not in a good condition.

Mr. Okpante on behalf of the school submitted a list of things needed to Bliss GVS Pharma Ghana and appealed to the company to support them in any way it could.