Health Essentials
Achieving a zero-malaria society through innovation
Malaria for centuries has been so common in our part of the world that people tend to associate any form of fever or “bitter taste in mouth” or even general feeling of not being well with malaria. Everyone seems to be an authority on diagnosing and treating malaria and the result is quite often not malaria at all that the person may be suffering from. Who can blame the numerous “malaria consultants”? The disease has caused so much menace in Ghana that it qualified as one of the six childhood killer diseases. Malaria is caused by a parasite of the genus plasmodium. The parasite is transmitted to humans through mosquito (female anopheles) bites.
According to the World Health Organisation, Ghana’s malaria interventions over the years have yielded some positive impact; fewer people keep dying from malaria. 308 deaths were recorded in 2020 compared with 1,264 in 2016. Malaria related deaths also recorded eight people dying from malaria each day in 2016 whilst only one person died from malaria every day in 2020. These figures should make us proud of how far we have come but that shouldn’t make us complacent. This is because, people are still dying from malaria despite the measures put in place to eradicate it.
This year, the World Health Organisation is calling for investments and innovation that bring new vector control approaches, diagnostics, antimalarial medicines and other tools to speed the pace of progress against malaria. Hence the theme “Harness innovation to reduce the malaria disease burden and save lives.”
It is heart-warming to note that a vaccine for malaria is now available and is being tried on a pilot basis in many countries including Ghana, but more has to be done. “Boosting investments in the development and deployment of a new generation of malaria tools is key to achieving the 2030 global malaria targets. Future progress in the fight against malaria will likely be shaped by technological advances and innovation in new tools, such as new vector control approaches, improved diagnostics and more effective antimalarial medicines.”
Prevention of Malaria
- Vector control is crucial – prevent the mosquito from biting.
- Dress appropriately to cover body during peak times of mosquito bites – that is from dusk to dawn.
- Clear pools of water etc.
- Sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITN)
- Indoor spraying with residual insecticides etc
- Certain category of people may require antimalarial prophylaxis (low dose antimalarial medicines to prevent malaria)
- It is recommended that pregnant women in endemic areas after the first three (3) months of pregnancy should be given scheduled (intermittent) preventive treatment.
People at a higher risk
About half of the world’s population is at risk but the following are at a higher risk:
- Young children in malaria endemic areas because they have not yet developed protective immunity
- Pregnant women – may lead to miscarriage and even maternal death
- People with HIV/AIDS
- Travellers from non-endemic areas because they lack immunity.
- Immigrants from endemic areas and their children living in non-endemic areas who visit their home countries. They are at risk because of waning or absent immunity.
Remember to see the doctor if you have the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- General feeling of discomfort
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain
- Muscle or joint pain
- Fatigue
- Rapid breathing
- Rapid heart rate
- Cough
There is a growing trend of the sale of herbal malaria medication at every corner of the country. Remember to test for malaria before using these medications and also remember to purchase your herbal medication from trusted sources. For the sake of your kidney and liver health, follow the instructions on given any medication you would take to cure malaria.
Remember that Malaria is curable and preventable. Together we can work to have a zero-malaria country.
Refrences:
- www.healthessentialsgh.com
- ww.mayoclinic.org
- www.who.int
Written by:
Augustina Otema Amarh and Maureen Masopeh
Content Creators
Health Essentials Limited
“Me nyare n’anso me nti ap)” is a popular Akan saying that can be translated into English as “I am not ill, yet I feel unwell.” It is that feeling when you just can’t place a finger on what is not right with you.
Today, I can confidently inform you that if you have felt this way in the past, you certainly had a point. Medical science has come a long way, and we know that health and wellness go far beyond the physical aspects such as pain, heart disease, or infections.
Other equally important aspects of wellness exist, and these may be classified as Social, Mental, Spiritual, Financial, and Digital Health and Wellness.
Do not be surprised when your doctor begins to ask you questions about your social network, such as those you have close ties with—family, friends, or both. Longevity depends to a large extent on one’s social support system or network.
As the American Heart Association notes, “lack of SOCIAL CONNECTION is associated with increased risk of premature death from all causes, especially among men.”
This is no open ticket to spend all of one’s after-work hours hanging out with friends under the disguise that you are prolonging your life. Moderation is key in all things, and your strong social ties need not be a whole village. All you need is a handful of loyal friends or family who know you inside out and have your wellbeing at heart.
If you are stressed out or have any mental health challenges, you should be able to speak to a close friend. Sharing your challenge may just be enough, or this friend may be able to advise you appropriately. It is easy to laugh with such friends and not be worried about being judged. Laughter, as you know, is medicine.
Close contacts may prompt you to take your physical health seriously, but even if they don’t, that bond you share produces feel-good hormones that protect you and prolong your health span.
I prefer health span to lifespan simply because lifespan refers to just being alive, but one may not be “living”—you could be bedridden, in a coma, or have multiple organ challenges. We should all aim for a long health span.
The art of building strong social connections is one reason we need to work on getting our children away from their phones and other gadgets that deprive them of the opportunity to talk to peers, share physical contact, and form lifelong relationships.
Dear friend, choose your friends wisely if you want to live a long, healthy, and happy life.
While you work on your social connections, let us breathe our way to great health by following the steps below. Repeat these steps daily:
- Sit in a quiet place.
- Avoid tight clothing (loosen your belt, necktie, or other constricting clothing).
- Take deep breaths through your nostril and exhale slowly through partially closed lips.
- At the peak of your initial inhale, take in another breath and hold for a count of 4 before exhaling.
- Expand your belly as you breathe in.
- Focus on your breathing and forget about everything else.
- When your focus drifts off (and it will about 50% of the time), acknowledge the thought but quickly return to your breathing.
- Continue breathing in and exhaling for five minutes.
- Increase the duration of this breathing/mindfulness over time.
…and remember to teach your friends to breathe too. After all, together you will live a long, healthy, and enjoyable life.
As always: laugh often, ensure hygiene, walk and pray every day, and remember it’s a priceless gift to know your numbers (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI).
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials Ltd (HE&W Group)
(dressel@healthessentialsgh.com)
Dr. Essel is a Medical Doctor with a keen interest in Lifestyle Medicine. He holds an MBA and is an ISSA Specialist in Exercise Therapy, Fitness Nutrition, and Corrective Exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth.
Thought for the week (1): “Lack of sleep may predispose you to many diseases including a STROKE. Jump into bed an hour earlier and sleep a stroke away.”
Thought for the week (2): “There is no magic formula to being happy, but making a conscious effort to be happy goes a long way.”
Join us at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel for our end-of-year Wellness Festival on Saturday, 29th November 2025, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. You should not miss this event. All six pillars of wellness will be at play.
By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
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The prostate gland, a small but essential organ found only in men, plays a key role in reproductive health. It produces fluid that nourishes, protects, and transports sperm, yet many focus only on its connection to prostate cancer.
Location & Function
- Situated between the bladder and penis, with the rectum behind it.
- The urethra passes through the prostate, carrying urine and semen.
Common Prostate Conditions
1. Prostatitis – Infection of the prostate:
- Symptoms: chills, fever, pus-like urethral discharge, painful urination, groin/testicular pain, painful orgasms, erectile dysfunction.
- Advice: Seek professional help; do not self-medicate.
2. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) – Non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate:
- Symptoms: frequent urination (especially at night), urge incontinence, difficulty starting urination, weak stream, painful urination, blood in urine, terminal dribbling, and in severe cases, inability to urinate.
- BPH can be extremely painful, sometimes compared to labor pains.
3. Prostate Cancer – Common among men, especially black men, often aggressive and with earlier onset:
- Risk Factors: older age, African descent, family history, obesity.
- Symptoms: frequent urination, straining, blood in urine/semen, weak urine flow, new erectile dysfunction; advanced stages may include fatigue, weight loss, and bone pain.
Diagnosis
- Digital rectal examination – checks for irregular or hard areas.
- PSA test, biopsy, ultrasound, CT/MRI/PET scans, bone scan.
Management
- Holistic approaches include watchful waiting, medication, surgery, and radiation (external & brachytherapy).
- Always discuss all options with your healthcare provider.
Risk Reduction Tips
- Regular screening
- Healthy, varied diet rich in fruits and vegetables (carrots, tomatoes, broccoli, kale, cauliflower)
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Exercise at least 5 days a week
Final Advice
- Share this information – the prostate needs support!
- Maintain good hygiene, walk and exercise daily, pray, and know your numbers (blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI).
Thought for the Week:
“There is no magic formula to being happy but making a conscious effort to be happy goes a long way.” – Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Dr. Essel invites readers to the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel Wellness Festival on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 6 a.m., to walk, exercise, network, and share ideas to stay healthy.
Contact: dressel@healthessentialsgh.com
By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
