Newmont Gives Out 5000 Bed Nets

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A community member undergoing the screening

NEWMONT GHANA Gold Limited has distributed over 5000 insecticide treated bed nets valued at about $37,000 to residents of its Ahafo Mine operational area.

The individuals were selected through door-to-door education and demonstration exercises in the communities around the mine since the mining giant launched its Community Malaria Programme (CMP) in 2009 to help prevent malaria as part of its corporate social responsibility.

This came to light during a free health screening held at Susuanso near Yamfo in the Tano North district of the Brong Ahafo region as part of activities marking this year’s World Malaria Day under the theme “Sustain gains, save lives: Invest in malaria.”

In line with the CMP, Newmont has so far sponsored the training of Asutifi and Tano North district health service staff in malaria diagnosis at the Kintampo Health Research Center (KHRC), and equipped the Gyedu Health Center with malaria diagnostic tools.

In addition, Newmont Ahafo Mine has spent about $26,000 on the training of peer educators to be ambassadors of the campaign to eliminate malaria in the Ahafo Mine area.  

The health screening was organized in collaboration with German International Cooperation (GIZ) and the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

The nearly two hundred residents who participated in the celebration and checked their health status were screened for HIV, malaria, high blood pressure, sugar levels and body mass index.

Addressing the people prior to the health screening, Tano North District Director of Health Services, Dr. Yakubu Bayayinah, stated that 22% of OPD cases in the district were malaria related.

He therefore advised the public to seek early treatment when they feel feverish to avoid any complications.

District Chief Executive for the area, Apraku Lartey, also noted that the rate at which people die of malaria is higher that deaths recorded as a result of HIV and AIDS. He called for collaborative efforts to fight the disease.

He commended Newmont and GIZ for their continued support toward malaria control in communities around the mine and called on all stakeholders to contribute towards prevention of the disease as well.

 FROM Fred Tettey Alarti-Amoako, Sunyani

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