Expectant mothers advised to sleep under mosquito nets
Expectant and lactating mothers have been advised to sleep under the mosquito nets which are being freely distributed to them by the government and benevolent organisations, and not of use them as table covers and for other purposes.
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“We need to protect our expectant and lactating mothers and their children in particular and Ghanaians in general from mosquito bites in order to prevent the increasing spate of malaria cases, which have a negative economic impact on the country.”
The Brong Ahafo Regional Manager of ASA Savings and Loans Company, Mr Mohammed Mainul Mallik, gave the advice when the company distributed mosquito nets to mothers at Fiapre in the Sunyani West District.
Gesture
“Our gesture is to assist the government and other organisations which are making efforts to reduce the incidence of malaria in the country.”
Mr Mallik said the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) figures indicated that millions of Ghanaians became victims of malaria annually, while some deaths among children under five occurred as a result of malaria.
“All efforts to minimise the occurrence of malaria will be fruitless if beneficiaries of free mosquito nets refuse to use them for the purpose for which they were provided.”
Mr Mallik said it was unfortunate that some people used the mosquito nets as table and suitcase covers, while others completely failed to hang them on their beds after collecting them.
In addition to distributing the mosquito nets freely, he said the company would, in collaboration with health personnel, embark on programmes to educate the people on how to use the nets.
Ignorance
Mr Mallik said some people were ignorant of the proper use of the nets, while others had various misconceptions about their use.
“We need to institute vigorous educational programmes to disabuse the minds of such people from the misconception and improper use of mosquito nets if our efforts to minimise the incidence of malaria will be achieved”, he added.
Mr Mallik explained that in addition to creating wealth for women in its catchment area, the company also aimed at ensuring their good health.
According to him, in May this year, the company organised a health screening exercise in Sunyani, during which about 200 people were screened and supplied with medication, while some of them were referred to the Sunyani Municipal and Regional hospitals for further treatment.
A similar health screening exercise was held at Berekum during which mosquito nets were distributed and a number of people were screened.