Ghana

Introduction

The entire population of Ghana is at risk of malaria. The annual reported number of malaria cases in 2010 was 2,642,221 with 3,859 deaths.

Progress

Ghana has banned the import and sale of oral artemisinin-based monotherapies and introduced Community Case Management of malaria and pneumonia. The country has also removed tariffs on LLINs, ACTs and IRS pumps. Ghana has secured financing to cover the costs for universal coverage of anti-malarial commodities in 2012. Ghana is making preparations for a large scale IRS campaign to cover 44 districts in the northern sector of the country. The country has increased coverage of key MNCH interventions, in particular DPT3 coverage.

Impact

The annual reported number of malaria cases in 2010 was 2,642,221 with 3,859 deaths. There was no evidence of a reduction in suspected malaria cases between 2000 and 2010, while inpatient cases and malaria deaths in all ages increased. It is not known whether the data reflect a true rise in the incidence of malaria, or better reporting of cases.

Key Challenges

• Delays in disbursement of the funds and procurement of LLINs for continuous distribution.
• Delays in finalizing the Global Fund approval to use grant savings to meet the operational cost of deficit of 5,500,000 million USD for distribution and BCC.
• The uncertainties surrounding the continuation of the AMFm threatens public and private sector ACT supply.