This was contained in a press statement, she issued and signed in Kumasi to mark this year’s world malaria day. It expressed concern about what it said was the neglect by some healthcare providers to confirm suspected cases of the disease through test before prescribing treatment.

The statement indicated that this was completely unacceptable, considering the increased availability of Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs).  The HFFG in partnership with two other organizations, Institute of Social Research and youth Development, and Research and Innovation Centre, had been spearheading efforts at mobilizing resources locally to fight the disease.

They had been doing this in 70 districts across the country.

This, the statement noted, had become necessary amid the decline in donor inflows.

It said the three organizations with funding from UKAID had been raising awareness among patients to insist that they were tested before any malaria treatment.

A total of 1,389,632 healthcare seekers had already been sensitized alongside 3,237 service providers on this important requirement of testing before treatment.  They were additionally stepping up the education to get people to sleep in insecticide treated nets.

They were employing modern and evidence-based advocacy, together with social and behavior change communication strategies, to entrench best malaria prevention practices among the population.