
Audio By Carbonatix
Experts say malaria cases as well as the population of mosquito larvae at breeding sites have reduced significantly across the country since the commencement of the Integrated Vector Control Programme in 2008.The announcement can be considered good news for Ghana which is regarded as one of the malaria hyper-endemic countries in the world with malaria being a leading cause of under five child mortality.The project is aimed at eradicating malaria in the country by using a combination of two bacteria, the bacillus thuringiensis israelenis and bacillus sphaericus 2362 together known as biological larvicides, to control mosquito larvae.The biological larvicides, said to be non-poisonous and environmentally friendly, target and kill mosquito larvae when applied to breeding sites.Briefing the press on the success rate of the control program, the Technical Head of the Pharmaceutical and Biological Laboratories (LABIOFAM), Dr. Mavy Hernandez said over 620 positive breeding sites with malaria-producing Anopheles mosquitoes were identified in some parts of Accra, Kumasi and Sunyani.According to her, the identified areas in Accra which benefitted from the project have seen about 70 percent reduction in malaria cases with a 30 percent reduction recorded in Kumasi and Sunyani.The Advisor to the LABIOFAM Project, Dr. Hafez Adam Taher explained the application of the biological larvicides would gradually eliminate parasite-carrying mosquitoes as well as reduce the adult mosquito population in the environment.He maintained even though the project was aimed at eliminating the root cause of malaria, it was an added value to existing malaria interventions such as treated mosquito nets.According to the project executors, plans are underway to establish a factory in Ghana to produce the biological larvicides locally thereby transferring technology and technical know-how from the Cuban specialists to Ghanaians.A team of 22 specialists from LABIOFAM are partnering the Ministry of Health to undertake this project.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Reparatory justice is about accountability, not sentiment – Asiedu Nketiah
8 minutes -
Thousands seek way out as South Africa braces for anti-immigrant protests
17 minutes -
Government urged to strengthen industry partnerships to boost TVET employability
20 minutes -
Ex-TVET Director-General raises concerns over teacher shortage, funding
23 minutes -
Telecel expands promotion of sports, culture as Otumfuo tees off 69th Open Golf Championship in Kumasi
32 minutes -
AkoFresh CEO wins $100,000 OPEC Fund Youth Entrepreneurship Award
32 minutes -
Cancellation of Zoomlion contract worsens Accra flooding
38 minutes -
GIADEC signs €300m MoU with Danieli to develop aluminium foil plant in Tema
44 minutes -
IC Insights predicts growth rate of 6.4% for Ghana in 2025
44 minutes -
Imperial General Assurance, World Vision Ghana empower girls with menstrual hygiene support
50 minutes -
Bolt rewards outstanding drivers with household appliances, fuel vouchers
1 hour -
GEPA opens Ghana Trade House in Philadelphia, deepening commercial footprint in USA
1 hour -
Bill to end witchcraft accusations under consideration—Local Govt Minister
2 hours -
Calgary University professor leads experts at a free virtual data science and AI conference
2 hours -
Sentuo Oil Refinery expansion will reduce fuel imports when completed – John Jinapor
2 hours