April 25 was observed as World Malaria Day and ULTIMATE HEALTH joins the global effort to remind you of the deadly disease MALARIA, that is responsible for killing an African child every minute!!! 

YES!!!!! Staggering statistics but TRUE!!!! What is YOUR unique, personal experience with MALARIA? Have you lost a loved one to malaria? 

World Malaria day is dedicated to highlighting the need for continued investment and commitment to control the disease.

The WHO says though efforts at malaria control and elimination have saved an estimated 3.3 million lives since the year 2000, reducing the deaths due to malaria by 42 per cent globally and by 49 per cent in Africa, the disease still kills an estimated 627,000 people every year, mainly children under five years in Sub-Saharan Africa. These deaths are preventable!!

In Ghana, efforts at malaria control have resulted in significant gains: malaria related death in the general population reducing from 40,000 in the year 2000 to about 205 in 2013. 

The number of children who died from malaria related death in every 1,000 live birth has reduced from 150 in the year 2000 to six in 2013, according to estimated figures from the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP).

Malaria is a parasitic infection that is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female anopheles mosquito. Sub-Sahara Africa, by virtue of its location in the tropics, is home to the most deadly malaria species of Plasmodium Falciparum that kills fastest when not properly diagnosed and treated, especially in infants and pregnant women, the most vulnerable.

Malaria control strategies in endemic countries such as Ghana include use of medicines, insecticide and insecticide treated screens and bednets. Do they work?

As part of our World Malaria Day programming, ULTIMATE HEALTH will today review Ghana's fight against Malaria and highlight the success story of the Malaria Control Programme of AngloGoldAshanti in Obuasi -  now known as THE OBUASI MODEL.

In 2004, the company saw that its workforce were suffering high levels of malaria, meaning that many of them were off sick at any one time. This was clearly having an impact on its business.

AngloGoldAshanti set out to tackle this with a comprehensive programme that encompassed malaria prevention and treatment and featured indoor residual spraying as a major form of prevention. AngloGold Ashanti has been able to reduce malaria prevalence by a whopping 74% in 2years!!!!!!  

*FACTS NOT FICTION!!! The Edwin Cade hospital in Obuasi saw 6,711 cases of malaria in 2005, the figure was down to 973 by 2009. In late 2013, it was just 238. Amazing!!!!

What lessons can we glean from AngloGoldAshanti's success story in Obuasi?
What do these figures mean in the context of the fight against a preventable deadly disease that kills an African child every minute? 

How many lives have been saved and positively impacted?
What does this mean to the people of Obuasi & other communities in which the programme has been replicated?

Are reports of the emergence mosquito resistance in the South East Asia regions, to the Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) involving the dose of Amodiaquine and Artesunate drugs true? Do Insecticide Treated Bednets Work? What is the progress on the development of a Malaria vaccine? 

For answers to your questions on Malaria prevention, treatment and control - join NORTEY DUA on Ultimate Health at 2.05pm as he reviews Ghana's fight against Malaria with Sylvester Segbaya, Program Director (Malaria Control) at AngloGold Ashanti.

Send your questions, concerns and experiences by txt to 1422, on Facebook/Joy99.7 and Whatsapp 0244340437.

Don't miss this program! ULTIMATE HEALTH, YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO HEALTHY LIVING! Every Tuesday @ 2.05pm with NORTEY DUA.

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