First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo has entreated Ghanaians to pay attention to the proper diagnosis of suspected malaria even as they observe the protocols of preventing COVID-19.

In a message to mark World Malaria Day on Saturday, 25 April 2020, Mrs Akufo-Addo also encouraged Ghanaians to sleep under treated mosquito nets to prevent mosquito bites and pregnant women to call on health facilities for the intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp-SP medicines) to protect themselves and their unborn children.

Mrs Akufo-Addo further called on Ghanaians to support the fight against malaria by promoting antenatal care, advocating increased investment in malaria and other health programmes and by simply standing in solidarity with those who are most affected by the disease.

According to her, zero malaria is achievable “when we all show commitment and collaborate better”.

World Malaria Day is an international observance commemorated every year on 25 April and recognises global efforts to control malaria.

Globally, 3.3 billion people in 106 countries are at risk of malaria. In 2012, malaria caused an estimated 627,000 deaths, mostly among African children.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) between 2000 and 2014, the number of malaria-related deaths fell by 40% worldwide, from an estimated 743 000 to 446 000.

But in recent years, progress has ground to a standstill. According to WHO's World malaria report 2019, there were no global gains in reducing new infections over the period 2014 to 2018. And nearly as many people died from malaria in 2018 as the year before.