Breman Beedum (C/R), Jan. 13, GNA- Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) has held a durbar on malaria prevention at Breman Beedum in the Central Region. The Humanitarian Foundation, a Non-Government Organisation, based in the Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa (AOB) district also in the region collaborated with GHS and the NMCP to organise the durbar. Mr Emmanuel Twumasi of the NMCP, who spoke on "Artesunate Amodiaquine", said it is a new drug for the treatment of malaria, and that it has replaced chloroquine, which is no longer effective against malaria.

He advised the people to report to the nearest health facility when they fall sick for proper treatment, instead of self-medication. Mr Twumasi entreated them to always follow the instructions given to them by their doctors on how to take the drugs to avoid an over-dose or complications. Madam Marian Quayson, Midwife in charge of Beedum Community Clinic, urged the people to prevent diseases instead of wasting money to cure it, and advised that environmental cleanliness was one of the best ways to prevent sicknesses. Madam Quayson advised the people to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme to enable them to receive affordably health care. Mr Dawuda Adams, Executive Director of the NGO explained the harmful effects of malaria to the people and urged them to acquire treated mosquito nets to protect them from mosquito bites and avoid Malaria.

He said sleeping under treated mosquito nets is one of the best and most cost effective ways to protect themselves from malaria. He said over a million people in the world die every year due to malaria, especially in pregnant women and children below the ages of five. "We need to educate ourselves on environmental hygiene, prevention of mosquito breeding grounds and other factors, which contribute to the breeding of mosquitoes. Twenty insecticide treated mosquito nets were sold at GH=A22.00 each at the rally grounds.