Breman Asikuma (C/R) Feb. 9, GNA - Records from Out Patient's Departments of seven health facilities in the Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa (AOB) District indicate that malaria cases continue to increase despite efforts made by health personnel to fight it. The facilities are Our Lady of Grace Hospital at Breman Asikuma, Odoben Health Centre, Brakwa Health Centre, Anhwiam Chip Zone, Amanfopoong Chip Zone, Sowutuom Chip Zone, and Bedum Community Clinic. Madam Gertrude Mensah-Addo, district Public Health Nurse said this on behalf of the district Director of Ghana Health Service, Dr Luiz Ammoussou-Gohungo at the 2008 Annual performance review meeting of the District Health Service Directorate at Breman Asikuma. She said in 2007 the facilities recorded 14,688 malaria cases but this increased terribly to 21,434 in 2008.

She said in 2007, 5167 children below the age of five were affected by the disease but this increase slightly to 5,202 in 2008. According to Madam Mensah-Addo, 8,872 children above five contracted the disease in 2007, moving up to 14,888 in 2008. She said in 2007, 649 pregnant women were attacked by the disease, which increased to 1,344 in 2008.

She expressed regret that despite numerous sensitization programmes, workshops and fora, the disease was still increasing. Madam Mensah-Addo urged the people to ensure environmental cleanliness to destroy mosquito bleeding grounds. She also said that, in 2008 the district recorded 53 Tuberculosis (TB) cases out of which 34 were cured, while six died and 13 still under treatment.

Madam Mensah-Addo advised the people to seek early treatment when they are sick, adding that it was when they were in good condition of health, that they would able to contribute towards the development of the nation.

Madam Mensah-Addo mentioned insufficient midwives in the district as some of the problems facing the directorate. She therefore appealed to the AOB District Assembly to sponsor nurses to midwifery schools for them to come back to the district to work.

Mr Richard Dela Darkey, Deputy Coordinating Director, who chaired the programme, urged the staff of health institutions in the district to intensify their health education programmes to improve the health standard of the people.