The Savannah Regional Director of Health Service, Dr. John Ekow Otoo, has made a passionate call to stakeholders, community leaders, and public institutions to take greater responsibility for maintaining clean and healthy environments as a critical strategy in the fight against malaria.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement on seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) on Tuesday, 8th July, 2025 at Damongo, Dr. Otoo emphasized that malaria elimination cannot be successful without strong collaboration and active involvement from all sectors of society. He urged that beyond the medical interventions such as insecticide-treated nets and preventive medication, environmental sanitation remains a cornerstone of malaria prevention, especially during the rainy season.
“We cannot eliminate malaria if our homes and offices are engulfed in waste and overgrown weeds. Clean environments break the breeding cycle of mosquitoes. It’s not just about spraying insecticides—it’s about creating spaces that are safe and visually appealing,” Dr. Otoo stressed.
Highlighting his recent visit to the Zoomlion Waste Recycling Site with the West Gonja Municipal Chief Executive, Dr. Otoo acknowledged some positive steps but pointed out that much more remains to be done. He candidly admitted that even the immediate surroundings of the Regional Health Directorate in Damongo have not met expected sanitation standards.
“As Regional Director, I am ashamed to say the gutters surrounding our own premises are constantly dirty. It reflects poorly on us, and it is something I can no longer tolerate. Every institution, office, and home must take ownership of their environment,” he said.
He further revealed efforts being made at the Damongo Health Centre, where two young men have been hired specifically for weeding and general sanitation, as a model of what every government facility should consider.
Dr. Otoo also launched a personal campaign encouraging all departments, homes, and offices to adopt simple practices such as regular weeding and proper waste disposal. He emphasized the importance of having receptacles for waste collection to support timely evacuation by sanitation service providers.
Linking poor sanitation directly to the rise in malaria cases during the rainy season, Dr. Otoo warned that stagnant water and uncovered refuse are breeding grounds for mosquitoes, posing a serious risk, particularly to children under five.
“When children contract malaria, the risk of death is much higher because their immune systems are not yet strong. Adults may survive, but for our children, one mosquito bite can be fatal,” he cautioned.
He also urged parents and guardians to ensure their children aged 3 to 59 months participate fully in the four cycles of the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention program, taking the medicine for three days in each cycle. At least three of the four cycles are needed for the treatment to be effective.
Dr. Otoo concluded with a powerful reminder that environmental cleanliness is not just a public health concern—it is a civic duty.
“We owe it to ourselves and the next generation. Clean environments save lives. Let’s all do our part.”
The call from the Savannah Regional Health Directorate reinforces the urgent need for integrated approaches that combine medical, behavioral, and environmental interventions to tackle preventable diseases like malaria in Ghana.
Source: Padfm.com.gh/Kumatey Gorden/0243531604
