News
Don’t use mosquito nets on trap doors
Madam Eunice Teah Dzagli, Health Promotion Officer at the Greater Accra Regional Health Directorate (GARHD), says the use of mosquito nets on trap doors and as window nets does not keep mosquitoes away.
She said, “If mosquito nets are exposed to the sun, it loses its efficacy within three days of installation.”
“In Ghana, some residents creatively use mosquito nets as screening material for doors and windows, hoping to prevent mosquito entry and reduce the risk of malaria.”
Speaking at a planning meeting on the mass distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticide Treated Mosquito Nets (LLIN) in Accra on Tuesday, she said mosquito nets could last for three years when used in room without any wash but were no longer effective after 20 washes.
Madam Dzagli emphasied that the proper use of LLINs in rooms was a critical component in the fight against malaria and urged the public to use their mosquito nets properly.
Madam Evelyn Tabi, Deputy Director, Nursing Services at the GARHD, also added that the Greater Accra Region would from April 9 to 13, begin a mass registration exercise to precede the distribution of LLIN to households in all 29 districts across the region from May 2 to 6.
She said the Greater Accra had been selected among other regions for Ghana’s malaria elimination programme and the GARHD was mandated to ensure that at least for three consecutive years, no malaria transmission would be recorded.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says sleeping under a LLIN is one of the best ways to prevent malaria, as they form a physical and chemical barrier against mosquitoes.
According to the global body, when mosquitoes try to bite someone sleeping under a LLIN, they are not only blocked by the netting but also killed by the insecticide coating.
“Studies show that the use of LLINs reduced malaria incidence by 50 per cent in sub-Saharan Africa, a region which accounts for more than 90 per cent of global cases.”
According to WHO, LLINs are much more effective than untreated mosquito nets because they are produced with netting that contains a WHO-recommended insecticide.
The insecticide effect lasts longer, and the nets can be used for up to three years or 20 washes, the global body declares.
Dr Linda Baafi, Regional Malaria Focal Person, GARHD, stated that the mass net distribution campaign would distribute at least 90 per cent of the LLIN to households in Accra.
She said the registration would be done by Registered Assistants (RA) in person and online through a NetApp with a valid National Identification Card. –GNA
News
Friday, April 18 and Monday, April 21, declared public holidays
The Ministry of Interior has declared Friday, April 18, 2025, and Monday, April 21, 2025 as Statutory Public Holidays
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Minister for Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak.
He stated that “The general public is hereby informed that Friday, 18thApril 2025, and Monday, 21st April 2025, which mark Good Friday and Easter Monday respectively, are Statutory Public Holidays and should be observed as such throughout the country.”
News
Health Minister pays unannounced visit to Ridge Hospital
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh paid an unannounced visit to the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, known as Ridge Hospital, earlier today to assess the quality of healthcare delivery and operational standards at the facility.
Arriving at the facility, the Minister toured key hospital departments, including the emergency unit, inpatient and outpatient departments, and the imaging department.
He interacted with the hospital’s management team, seeking direct feedback on service delivery and infrastructure challenges.
The surprise inspection revealed that both the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) scan machines have been out of service for the past two years, requiring urgent attention.
Minister Akandoh expressed his dissatisfaction with the delays in service and the shortage of critical medical equipment.
However, he commended the dedication of healthcare professionals who continue to work under challenging conditions.
“These unannounced visits help us see the reality on the ground, not just what is reported in boardrooms,” he stated.
The Health Minister indicated that immediate follow-up actions would be taken to address the issues identified during the visit.
He promised that the Ministry would work closely with the management of the hospital to improve working conditions and enhance patient care.
He emphasized that the visit reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening Ghana’s healthcare infrastructure and responding to the evolving needs of its population.
