He discusses the value of insecticide treated bednets in the effort to fight malaria, the promising private sector-public sector collaboration involved in this project, and the US Government's participation in the program. Your Excellency, President Rawlings, Honourable Minister of Health, Professor Danso- Boafo, Distinguished ladies and gentlemen. It is a pleasure to join you this morning in launching this unique effort to combat malaria by promoting the purchase of insecticide treated bednets and other materials.
Malaria is Ghana's number one health problem.
It kills more children, causes more days of illness and contributes more to the health care burden on the home and on the health service than any other disease. In Ghana, malaria accounts for 25,000 of all childhood deaths and a substantial number of all outpatient visits and hospital admissions. That attitude must change. Overcoming complacency towards malaria is the essence of the global roll back malaria initiative. The most basic message for decision makers throughout Ghana, including decision makers in the home, is that malaria can be rolled back with the resources and the technology at our disposal.