Editorial
We can kick out malaria
The National Malaria Control Programme of the Ghana Health Service has emphasised the need to pay attention to malaria control, so as to promote quality health for people in this country.
Towards this end, a number of activities are being carried out to create awareness among people regarding the dangers of malaria. Malaria Day was launched at Hohoe on 25th April 2022 regarding the creation of the need for every person in this country to take preventive measures against the disease.
Malaria, as we know, is caused by mosquitoes, the Anopheles type. It is, therefore, necessary for people to take preventive measures against the disease rather than waiting to be attacked before attempting a cure.
Breeding grounds ought to be destroyed so that malaria-causing mosquitoes cannot multiply and attack more people.
People can also sleep in mosquito nets as a way of preventing the disease.
The National Malaria Control Programme must be patted on the back for creating awareness on the need to vaccinate children under two years. If this is carried out successfully, malaria cases in the country would be drastically reduced, if not prevented.
The amount of money government spends on malaria is too enormous and if preventive measures are taken in line with this, money saved could have been used to undertake more socioeconomic development programmes.
It is expected that the National Malaria Control Programme will be given the needed support by government as well as the people of Ghana to make it possible for the successful implementation of the programme.
This has become necessary to make the people healthier than they are now, so as to be able to increase productivity in the country.
Malaria can be effectively controlled in this country, if every stakeholder comes on board to support malaria prevention.
Editorial
Kudos to Ho Teaching Hospital staff, but …
Dear Editor,
If there is any group of professionals that get bad-mouthed the most, then you are referring to nurses and medical doctors assigned to public hospitals across the country.
For this particular letter, I want to sing the praises of this same group of professionals that work at the Ho Teaching Hospital, famously known as Trafalgar.
Despite the work load and the mass casualties received at the emergency ward of the hospital, the welcoming nature of the nurses and the professional touch by the doctors can’t be ignored. My personal experience has got me travelling from my base in Accra to seek medical services from these professionals.
Special mention has to be made of the likes of Precious of the Pharmacy Department, Dr Brandon Banor (a maxillofacial resident) of the Dental unit, male nurse Justice assigned to the female surgical ward. Words cannot really do justice to their affable, professional caring nature. A simple thank you is all that I can say.
In the same vein, I can’t but call out the bad attitude of the auxiliary staff and contractors of the hospital.
Chief among them is some of the contracted bank staff that handle the payment section of the hospital and the patient registration section (those that check the status of the patient as to whether they are fee paying patients or NHIS sponsored).
The attitude at times leaves a bad taste in the mouth. One such occurrence was a night staff of the registration section who had her legs on the office table whilst talking to patients.
The CEO of the hospital needs to shine his torch light on this support sections before they erode the awesome performance of the direct medical staff of the hospital.
Thank you for the space.
Kwesi Manu
Accra
Editorial
Develop policies to address disability concerns
Dear Editor,
AT the beginning of the year, when I went to the bank to deposit money into my uncle’s account, I observed a very sad situation where a man in a wheelchair struggled to navigate his way around the facility.
This is because the structure is disability unfriendly.
As I stood and watched how the man struggled to move his wheelchair, I felt sad and wondered if this is how the life of a disabled person should be. It becomes worse if there is no one to offer help.
In Ghana, People With Disabilities (PWDs) are often treated differently and are often subjected to all forms of discrimination.
Most of these people find themselves in such a situation as a result of unfortunate happenings such as accidents and injuries.
It is, therefore, not appropriate for anyone to discriminate against them. Discrimination against such persons take many forms, including how buildings are constructed.
Most of the public structures are not disability friendly and impede their movement.
As a country, we should consider the PWDs in designing our structures. I also think that there should be a national policy that seeks to address this issue.
I have a strong conviction that when such a policy is developed by the government, people with disabilities would feel appreciated and also promote social inclusivity.
Ray,
Kasoa
