Stakeholders in the provision of treatment of malaria urged to RDTs

Dr Mu-Aria Zakaria (Left)

RDT demonstration

Studies by the Ghana Health Service reveal that malaria still remains one of the leading causes of death among pregnant women and children under five. Most malaria deaths occur within 48 hours after the first symptoms appear. Despite the dangers in the use of non-effective malaria treatment, there has been a significant over-use of anti-malaria drugs. This is because many cases of fever are often treated as malaria even without a blood test or laboratory confirmation. The normal use of microscopy in the detection of malaria is said to be limited in access either because there may not be a microscope or a trained health officer to discover the existence of malaria parasites. Also clinical or presumptive diagnosis have also been a challenge over the years as health workers do not see whether a patient has malaria parasite but rather presume that anyone with fever has malaria. It is against this backdrop that the institute of Social Research and Development, ISRAD, partnered the Ghana Health Service, GHS, to introduce and advocate the use of Rapid Diagnostic Kits, RDTs, to assist in the easy diagnosis of malaria parasites.  Since its introduction of the RDTs, the proportion of data attributable to clinical or presumptive diagnosis has reduced to about 70 percent. At a Regional Pre-Implementation Stakeholders meeting, in Bolgatanga, health workers involved in the provision of the treatment of malaria were implored to prioritize the use of RDTs. The Executive Director of ISRAD, Dr Mu-Aria Zakaria, explained that RDTs are largely non-invasive and easy to use work because of the antigens that are produced by the plasmodium. He stressed that the use of the kits give results in fifteen minutes as compared to the use of microscope which sometimes delay results. He said though no diagnostic measure is 100 percent, the use of RDTs is more advanced and can help identify patients who do not have malaria so that they can receive correct and timely treatment.  The Regional Coordinator of ISRAD, Abdul Razak said the use of RDTs is worth pursuing since it is tested and proven.   He said the meeting formed part of ISRAD’s behaviour change communication strategy for the promotion of the use of microscope and RDTs for malaria diagnostic which starts the campaign kick starts.  Mr Razak commended DFID, GHS and all partners involved in the prevention and treatment of malaria for their support. The meeting attracted pharmacists, nurses, doctors and traditional herbal medicine practitioners.  

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Fountain Gate International School hopes to maintain academic excellence

Narration: The Director of the Fountain Gate International School, FGIS, Reverend Mrs Rosemond Anaba, has underscored the need to inculcate reading in children so as to help them achieve their academic pursuit. 

She said children can grow in a holistic manner if they are encouraged to read at their leisure time. 

This, Mrs Anaba said, has the potential of building their self confidence, creativity, knowledge and improving their imagination.  

Rev Mrs Anaba, made the observation at the 5^th Annual Graduation and Prize Giving Day of the school in Bolgatanga. Correspondent Isaac Asare was there for Radio Ghana

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Rev Mrs Anaba believes that if children were made to develop interest in reading at the early stages, their skills in communication will be sharpened. 

She therefore charged parents and teachers to help inculcate in that direction. 

Noting that this was one of the surest ways children could be nurtured to become responsible citizens. 

The graduation was to enable the sixth grade pupils’ to transit from the basic level to the Junior High School. 

There were a spectacular display of traditional dances, choreography and the pupils in the kindergarten shared their prowess and skills in acting.

 The audience  was treated rhymes and news presentation via FGIS Television.  Rev Mrs Anaba,  called for more parental involvement in the education of their wards. 

She urged parents and guardians to prioritize their wards education and build healthy and stronger relationship with them by spending quality time with them. 

Rev Mrs. Anaba, said the school since its inception in 14 years ago has chalked up academic excellence. This, she attributed to the high level of discipline, vigilance and team work of its management and staff. 

In the 2013/14 academic year the school recorded a 100 percent distinction in the Basic Education Certificate Examination.

 All the 29 candidates who sat for the examination had between aggregate 6 and 12.  She said this had been the trend over the years. 

Rev. Mrs Anaba said the FGIS has produced students for presidential awards. 

She said the school will not rest on its oars but step up efforts to achieving its vision of developing the pupils in a holistic manner so that they can make an impact in their generation. 

She paid tribute to the school’s governing board particularly Rev Eastwood Anaba who has been instrumental to its success story. 

A desk Officer from the Regional Education Directorate, Mrs Beatrice Delay,  lauded the efforts of teachers in the school and encouraged parents to complement these efforts by giving their wards the needed support to enable them to acquire academic laurels.  

Certificates were given to students who distinguished on their academic performance. Others cited for discipline, punctuality and neatness were also awarded. 

 Some parents, Solomon Aboagye, Peter Lary and Francis Asampana were honoured for contributing to the development of the school. 

Thirteen-year old second year student Irene Naalubom Kuupol was adjudged the best student.

Suspected thief faces the wrath of residents of Zaare in the Upper East

29-07-14    

Warning: Viewers discretion is advised

The man being rescued by the police

A man in his mid 20 was nearly lynched by an angry mob at Zaare in the Bolgatanga Municipality. The man was alleged to have broken into a house and a store at Zaare with two other men. The two others who were seriously beaten are on admission at the Bolgatanga Regional hospital. The two men were said to have given the name of their accomplice   as their chief, so while visiting his girlfriend at Zaare, the crowd attacked him, stripped him naked and were about lynching him when the police got to the scene. He is currently on admission at the emergency unit of the hospital. Items stolen from the house include a motorbike, a decoder and a television set. Those stolen at the store are biscuits and mineral water among others.

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Management and staff of URA Radio embark on activities to commemorate 79 years of GBC

Management and staff of URA Radio, a satellite station of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) has embarked on a clean- up exercise to highlight the importance of environmental cleanliness. The exercise which took place at the premises of God’s Love Orphanage in Bolgatanga forms part of activities marking the 79^th anniversary of GBC. The event was characterized by a donation assorted drinks and other food items was in line with the station’s commitment to reaching out to the poor and marginalized in society. Receiving the items on behalf of the orphanage, the caretaker of the Orphanage, Francis Akampoi, thanked the management and staff of GBC URA Radio for demonstrating true commitment to bringing smiles on the faces of the vulnerable. The items, he said, would go a long way to sustain the livelihood of the inmates whose current population stands at 30 including children born by women with mental illness. He said the orphanage through the support of individuals and institutions has over the years grown to become one of the recognized public institutions in the region.  He told Radio Ghana that children brought to the home are identified, monitored and adopted to orphanage with the support of the Department of Social Welfare. Most of the children, he noted have been integrated to their various families and homes. He said as a registered public institution established in 2008, God’s Love Orphanage, a subsidiary of God’s Love Ministry has over the  period taken care of poor and malnourished children and will continue to cater for them when identified. The lauded the idea of embarking on a clean- up exercise and described GBC as a true pace setter. The Regional Director of GBC, Mrs Asibi Bangu Ekella, said the clean up and presentation of the food items is in fulfillment of the station’s resolve to give back to the community. It was also intended to bring relief to the children who through no fault of theirs are neglected. The choice of the orphanage, she explained, was to drum home the urgent need for people to reach out to the needy.. She appealed to individuals and corporate bodies to promote inclusion by attending to the plight of children at the orphanage. Meanwhile, URA Radio as part of activities to commemorate GBC’s 79^th anniversary has organized a health talk on blood donation for some selected second cycle schools in the region. They are Zamse Senior High and Royal Secretarial School both in Bolgatanga. They were educated on the positive and negative impacts of blood donation.  A medical staff at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, Dr Razak Lawal, said the hospital is putting in place measures to form an association of blood donors involving health staff. This, he explained, was to inculcate in people the habit of donating blood to save lives. He urged all well meaning Ghanaians to voluntarily donate blood since it comes with health benefits.

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NEDCO to clamp down on victims of illegal connection

    

                                                       The Northern Electricity Distribution Company, NEDCO, a subsidiary power distribution arm  the Volta River Authority, VRA, says it has instituted a 50 Ghana Cedi reward for anyone that relays information leading to the arrest of persons engaged in illegal connection. VRA says the identity of informants will not be disclosed. At a press briefing in Bolgatanga, the Head of Public Community Relation, Alhaji Mohammed Siam, entreated the public to report all illegal power activities including cable theft to VRA. He cautioned the general public to desist from illegal connections since legal action will be taken against them.  They will also be made to pay the losses.  Alhaji Siam, hinted that a task force will soon arrive in the region to fish out those that indulge in illegal connections and activities that impede their quest of becoming the leading power distribution company in the sub region. NEDCO will soon introduce devices that will automatically detect faults and power illegalities. He said the causes of frequent power outages and low voltage experienced in recent times were multi-dimensional. While some occur as a result of illegal power activities, others are natural and impossible to avoid. Alhaji Mohammed explained that generators belonging to some companies, particularly, Bui and Aboadzi sometimes go off , and when this happens, there is a shortfall of power supply in the region. This, Alhaji Siam, lamented give cause for power outages. He therefore urged the public to exercise restraint anytime power goes off, adding that NEDCO was working tirelessly to ensure constant power supply. The Area Supervisor, Isaac Aidoo, urged the public to make judicious use of power and ensure that areas without power supply are assisted when the need arises.

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