Morkporkpor Anku, GNA
Nsawam (E/R), Aug. 20,
GNA – The Management of the AngloGold Ashanti Ghana Malaria (AGAMAL) Control
Programme in partnership with the National Malaria Control Programme have
embarked on an indoor residual spraying exercise in all the country’s 43 prisons.
The 10-day exercise,
which is in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service and the Ghana Prison
Service, with support from the Global Fund, is to rid the country’s prisons as
well as homes of prison officers of mosquitos and its attendant incidence of
Malaria cases.
Mr Samuel Asiedu, the
Programmes Director of AGAMAL told the GNA during the spraying exercise at the
Nsawam prison that, AngloGold Ashanti has been given the mandate to spray all
the prisons in Ghana as well as quarters.
He said in all, it was
estimated that 13,707 structures would be sprayed with 2,742 units of
Sumishield 50 WG insecticide.
He said prison inmates
formed part of the vulnerable groups in the county, who were exposed to all
forms of insects including mosquitos, cockroaches and bed bugs.
“This
interventions is therefore expected to improve the health conditions of inmates
by getting rid of these and many other insects in the prisons,” he added.
Mr Asiedu said the
exercise, which spans from 13 to 22 August, was being carried out concurrently
in all the regions by their regional teams.
The Programme Director
said the event was in line with AGAMAL’s focus of eliminating Malaria,
especially among vulnerable sub-populations in society.
He said, “We are
delighted that we have the opportunity to extend our expertise to our brothers
and sisters at the prisons as well as the hardworking prison staff.
Dr Keziah Malm, the
Programme Manager for the National Malaria Control Programme expressed
gratitude to the Global Fund for their continued support in helping Ghana to
tackle its Malaria challenges.
She said the control
programme was particularly happy that this intervention was targeted at a key
vulnerable segment of society.
The Deputy Director of
Prisons, Isaac Kofi Eqyir, Officer-in-Charge of Nsawam Medium Security Prison
expressed gratitude to management of the AGAMAL for the support.
He said the
intervention was timely and important, since mosquitoes and bed bugs were
making the prison uncomfortable for inmates.
He appealed to other
benevolent organizations to come to the aid of the Prisons, saying there are
many challenges that needed the attention of the public.
GNA