Accra: Dr. Elias Asuming-Brempong, the Acting Head of the Department of the Biomedical and Public Health Research Unit at the Water Research Institute, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, has emphasized the need for increased investments in malaria research and its elimination. He highlighted that despite improvements in data, malaria still requires urgent attention to be eradicated, similar to successes seen in other African nations.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Asuming-Brempong made these remarks during the commemoration of this year’s World Malaria Day, which was organized by his department under the global theme: ‘From Bites to Breakthroughs – Reinvest, Reimagine, and Reignite’, and the sub-theme, ‘Sharing Concepts of Disease Prevention and Control to Reignite Investments in Malaria Research’. He pointed out that Sub-Saharan Africa bears 94 percent of the global malaria burden, with over two million deaths, predominantly among children under five years old.
Dr. Asuming-Brempong noted
that although there have been efforts to reduce the malaria burden in regions like Ghana, progress has slowed. He stressed the importance of reigniting passion and effort to achieve a malaria-free Ghana and Africa. The development of vaccines, such as RTS,S with 30 to 40 percent efficacy, is one such effort. However, he emphasized the need for a comprehensive strategy to effectively eradicate malaria from the country.
Dr. Akua Kyerewaa Botwe, a Malaria Expert and Research Scientist at the BPHRU of the WRI, CSIR, added that 130 malaria vaccines are currently in various stages of development globally, with 90 percent targeting plasmodium falciparum, the most virulent species. She warned that parasites could develop resistance to vaccines over time, highlighting the importance of further research investments to address the root causes of malaria.
Dr. Betty Bandoh Oppong, a Research Scientist at CSIR WRI, outlined current malaria interventions in Ghana, which include the distribution of insecticide-treated bed
nets, indoor residual spraying, and larval source management. Additional measures include the malaria vaccine RTS,S, intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women, seasonal malaria chemoprevention, and the ‘test, treat, and track’ approach for case management.
Dr. Oppong defined malaria elimination as the interruption of local transmission of a specific malaria parasite species in a defined area, per the World Health Organization. She noted that 14 countries, including four African nations-Cape Verde, Egypt, Lesotho, and Algeria-have achieved elimination, suggesting that Ghana could follow suit.
To achieve this goal, Dr. Oppong urged research institutions to support malaria research, fund projects focusing on surveillance and vaccine research, and equip laboratories for advanced research. She encouraged researchers to pursue collaborative projects, educate the public about malaria, and contribute educational content to the media.
Emphasizing the role of individuals in malaria elimination, Dr. Oppong
encouraged adherence to preventive measures, such as maintaining clean environments, using insecticide-treated bed nets, completing prescribed antimalarial medications, and protecting children through vaccination. She concluded with a call to action: “Malaria elimination is possible and starts with you!”
