High cases of malaria in Children and pregnant women

A nutritionist has worries about the high rates of malaria that she sees among children and pregnant women in Ghana. Nutritionist Hannah Adjei, who works the Ghana Health Service spoke at a forum about her concerns yesterday.

Adjei says that proper nutrition plays a role in recovery from malaria. Malnourished children take longer to recover from the disease if they do at all.

From the Ghanaian Chronicle writer William N-lanjerborr Jalulah reports on the forum's presentation.

Speaking at a forum in Bolgatanga, the nutritionist said malaria remained the single largest killer of children, accounting for about 26% of deaths, and 40% of out-patient and hospital admission cases.

According to her, the limited availability of preventive items such as Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets had been identified as a key bottleneck in the fight against malaria and associated child mortality.

Madam Adjei said the disease was more frequent and severe among malnourished children, leading to higher morbidity and mortality.

She said a recent study in northern Ghana, reported that underweight children were significantly more likely to have clinical malaria and anemia.

She said the main objective of the NMCCSP was to improve utilisation of selected community-based health and nutrition services for children under the age of two, and pregnant women in the target districts.

The project would also support priority areas, like nutrition and malaria control in the programme of work of the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, which were known to have strong links with child survival, but have received inadequate attention.