Today is World Malaria day. What you need to know today about Malaria in Ghana. The WHO World Malaria reports that:
The West African sub-region, of which Ghana is a part (Figure 1), is estimated to have more than 300 million people at risk of malaria infection. Thus, the sub-region accounts for about half of the global burden.
The whole of Ghana is at risk of malaria. Malaria in Ghana accounts for 4% of the global burden and 7% of the malaria burden in West Africa.
Malaria was responsible for 19% of all recorded deaths in Ghana in 2015.
Malaria-attributable mortality has declined significantly from 19% (2010) to 4.2% (2016).
The health facility case fatality rate among children under five years of age declined from 14 percent in 2000 to less than half a percent in 2016.
Malaria hospital admissions increased from 280,000 to 340,000 persons between 2000 and 2017.
Gains made towards reducing infection rates have stalled since 2015, increase in the rates of infection
There are at least four known types of malaria and at least one –plasmodium falciparum (which can develop into cerebral malaria)- is fatal if not treated.
Malaria parasites in Ghana are chloroquine resistant. Check with your doctor for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Credit : Dr. Judith Castor / MA PhD
