The Manager of the National Malaria Control Programme, Dr. Mrs. Bart Plange has appealed to traditional and religious leaders, NGOs, churches and schools to partner the Ministry of Health in the crusade against malaria. She said malaria is as deadly as HIV and AIDS. Dr. Mrs. Bart Plange made the appeal at the launch of a malaria-free project of the Christ Presbyterian Church at Akropong in the Eastern Region. The project will ensure that the Akropong Township is malaria free by the year 2010. Dr. Mrs. Bart Plange noted that malaria kills more than a million people world wide each year with 9% of the figure in Africa, adding that malaria has been described as a hyper endemic disease that affects everybody.
Dr. Mrs. Bart-Plange advised people who experience signs of fever to seek early treatment saying not all fever leads to malaria. She urged people to insist on a lab test for the right diagnosis. The Akuapem North District Director of Health Services, Dr. Mrs. Sophia Winful urged the people to be conscious of their health and cleanliness to make Akropong a healthy town. She stressed the need for people to involve themselves in the fight against malaria. The District Minister of the Church, Rev. George Kwapong said apart from the spiritual aspect of the church, it is also much concerned with the health of its members since the church cannot preach and evangelize to people who are unhealthy. GBC
