Ghana to be declared polio-free this year

Awutu Akropong (C/R), Sept. 25, GNA - Ghana may may be declared polio-free country after the polio immunisation exercise scheduled for November this year. Mr Ebow Acquah, Past-Secreatary and Cordinator of the Malaria Awareness Walk Programme of the Rotary Club of Accra Airport, announced this at the launching of the Malaria Awareness Walk instituted by the Club at Awutu Akropong and Agona Kukrantumi, respectively. Already, the Walk had started from Twifo Praso in the Central Region. He noted that the Rotary International spent six million dollars annually to support polio immunisation and other research into communicable diseases to ensure their eradication from the country.

Mr Acquah said the Rotary International, which was over 100 years old with 1.2 million members worldwide, has been active in ensuring that malaria, polio and the six childhood killer diseases are eliminated. He urged the people, especially pregnant and nursing mothers, to use insecticide-treated mosquito nets to avoid mosquito bites, adding that keeping stagnant water in their surroundings posed a threat to their health.

Dr Sekyi Appiah, Agona District Director of Health Services, commended the members of the Club for their assistance and the awareness being created in the fight against malaria. He stated that out of 100 sicknesses reported at the hospital 50 percent were diagnoised as malaria, saying that the disease was preventable. Dr Appiah said government spent billions of cedis to import chroloquin for the treatment of the number one killer disease and urged the people to keep their environment clean.

Nana Afesah Danquah, Chief of Awutu Akropong expressed appreciation to the executive members of the Club for launching the programme in the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District to educate the people on the dangers of the disease. About 80 treated mosquito nets were distributed to pregnant and nursing mothers at Agona Kukurantumi and Awutu Akropong after the walk.