Prof. Kwadwo Ansah Koram, Professor of Epidemiology and the former Director of Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, has highlighted the invaluable contributions of the Institute to malaria research during a lecture series commemorating the Institute’s 45th Anniversary.
Delivering the fourth lecture of the October Lecture Series, Prof. Koram reiterated the Institute’s decades-long commitment to malaria research, which has generated critical insights and informed evidence-based policies for Ghana’s malaria control and elimination initiatives.
Prof. Koram outlined NMIMR’s approach, which integrates research in Epidemiology, Behavioural Studies, Entomology, Molecular Biology, and Immunology. He said, “these fields form a comprehensive strategy for addressing malaria transmission, treatment, and prevention in Ghana”.
He further explained that NMIMR’s epidemiological research has mapped malaria prevalence across regions, revealing that malaria is notably higher in forest zones than in coastal areas, with distinct seasonal patterns. “By tracking parasite levels, NMIMR has been able to inform targeted public health policies for high-risk areas. There is the need for more geographic-based interventions to combat malaria effectively”, Prof. Koram stressed.
According to Prof. Koram, the critical role human behaviour plays in malaria transmission cannot be overemphasized. He mentioned that the Institute’s research has demonstrated that personal habits, such as when people remove mosquito nets, influence exposure to mosquito bites. “People’s behaviour, such as when they take off their nets, can create opportunities for mosquitoes to bite,” he explained, noting that biting patterns often shift to early morning hours, posing an additional challenge to malaria control.
Prof. Koram explained the Institute’s commitment to proactive malaria control measures and highlighted NMIMR’s role in developing various drugs for malaria treatment.“Institute’s research tracks how Anopheles gambiae, Ghana’s primary malaria-transmitting mosquito, responds to insecticide use. We need to stay ahead of changes in mosquito resistance to ensure that control methods remain effective”.
To combat malaria effectively in Ghana Prof. Koram stressed the need for concerted efforts saying “we must sustain our research endeavours, translate findings into policy and practice, and ensure equitable access to effective interventions. The impact of malaria research serves as a testament to the power of science in improving public health. Let us build on this momentum, address the remaining challenges and strive towards a malaria-free Ghana”.
