The district has recorded a significant rise in Out-Patient Department (OPD) cases compared to the same period last year, with malaria remaining the leading cause of hospital visits.

"We are urging the public to immediately seek early treatment at local health facilities rather than self-medicating," said Mr. Richard Avagu, District Director of Health Services, speaking at the district's mid-year performance review meeting in Akumadan.

Why the surge?

According to Mr. Avagu, the sharp increase can be attributed to:

• Poor environmental sanitation

• Low usage of insecticide-treated nets

• Stagnant water creating mosquito breeding sites following recent rains

Urgent interventions underway

The health directorate has called for immediate action, including:

• Distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets to high-risk communities

• Intensified clean-up exercises to destroy breeding sites

• Enhanced public education on environmental hygiene and early detection

A collective responsibility

Mr. Avagu appealed to chiefs, assembly members, faith-based organizations, schools, and the media to support sensitization efforts, emphasizing that fighting malaria requires a collective approach.

The directorate has assured the public of strengthened disease surveillance and the availability of rapid diagnostic test kits and anti-malaria medicines in all district health facilities.