Keta: The Keta Municipal Health Directorate in the Volta Region has joined the global community to mark World Malaria Day 2026, with a renewed call for residents to intensify prevention efforts as cases remain a major public health concern in the Municipality.
According to Ghana News Agency, the event focused on education, early detection, and community action to reduce the malaria burden among residents through collaborative efforts. Madam Margaret Dovlo, a Public Health Nurse at the Keta Municipal Health Directorate, explained that malaria is caused by plasmodium parasites transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female anopheles mosquitoes.
She noted that the disease thrives in areas with stagnant water, poor drainage, and overgrown vegetation, conditions prevalent in several parts of the Keta and Anloga districts. Symptoms of malaria include high fever, chills, headaches, vomiting, and body weakness, and in severe cases, it can lead to anemia, cerebral malaria, and death, particularly among children.
Madam Dovlo warned that malaria remains a deadly disease if not detected and treated early. She added that frequent malaria infections among adults reduce productivity and place financial strain on families due to hospital bills and lost work hours. Children under five years and pregnant women are the most at risk of severe malaria and its complications. Pregnant women risk miscarriage, stillbirth, and low birth weight babies when infected, with children under five accounting for the majority of malaria deaths recorded in health facilities. People with compromised immunity, including the elderly and those living with HIV, are also highly vulnerable.
She emphasized several proven methods to prevent or curb mosquito spread and malaria, such as the use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) every night as the most effective personal protection. Other key measures include indoor residual spraying, clearing choked gutters and stagnant water around homes, proper disposal of empty cans and tires, and wearing long-sleeved clothing in the evenings.
Madam Dovlo also highlighted the role of new malaria vaccines being piloted in parts of the country and appealed for all eligible children to complete their doses when the program is rolled out in Keta. She urged households to cooperate with health teams during net distribution and spraying exercises, emphasizing that malaria prevention is a shared responsibility.
She stated that the 2026 World Malaria Day, observed globally on 25 April, was marked under the theme, 'Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must,' which calls for collective action from governments, partners, and communities to reinvest in proven tools and recommit to ending malaria despite competing health priorities. The theme reflects the progress made globally, including the prevention of 2.2 billion cases and 12.7 million deaths over two decades, and Keta Health Directorate plans to re-energize community education and testing campaigns to ensure no case goes undetected or untreated.
Madam Dovlo advised the public that not all fevers are malaria and individuals should be tested for malaria before treatment. She underscored that visiting the nearest health facility or CHPS compound when feeling unwell is crucial, and warned against self-medication with anti-malaria drugs as it can be dangerous and lead to drug resistance.
The Public Health Nurse appealed to assembly members, religious leaders, stakeholders, and schools to help spread malaria prevention messages. She charged landlords and homeowners to ensure their surroundings are clean and free of mosquito breeding sites, especially as the rainy season approaches. Other information gathered by GNA revealed that Keta recorded about 4,827 confirmed cases of malaria in 2025, marking a slight increase from 4,612 cases in 2024. Of the 2025 figure, 38 percent of malaria victims were children under five, while 14 percent were pregnant women, with no deaths recorded.