About 500 kayayei at the Tema Station in Accra have benefited from a free malaria and HIV/AIDS screening.
The screening was put together by the First Lady’s Foundation, Infanta Malaria and the National Malaria Control Program. It follows a survey by the malaria control program which shows that more than 10 percent of the kayayei have been infected with malaria.
The figure is way higher than the Greater Accra regional average of four percent.
The living condition of the kayayei make them easily susceptible to malaria and other diseases. After carrying heavy loads during the day, they are forced to sleep in the open as they can not afford decent accommodation due to their income levels.
Since they barely make enough to feed, they are unable to buy treated nets and medicines to protect themselves and their children from malaria.
Some of them say they sleep in the open and when it rains, they have to stand for about thirty minutes or more for the rainwater to subside. Others say they have been harassed and abused sexually by men because they do not have rooms that will secure their safety.
The screening was therefore necessary, to give them some protection against malaria and AIDS.
According to the Programme Manager of the National Malaria Control Program, Dr Kezia Malm malaria prevalence is high among the Kayayei.
She said the Programme has conducted a survey in all the markets and realized that most of the Kayayei have been infected with malaria. She, therefore, asked them to use insecticide-treated bed nets and sleep in them.
Addressing the beneficiaries, First Lady Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo reiterated government’s promise of constructing hostels for them and urged them to get tested for malaria and HIV for early treatment.
Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo assured them of government’s resolve to make life better for them adding that President Akufo-Addo will fulfill his promise of constructing the hostels he promised them during the 2016 campaign.
She asked them to be patient as the President is doing all he can to reduce their suffering.
Members of the Infanta Malaria Project were present to educate the kayayei about Malaria.
The kayayei were given treated bed nets, medication and were registered for the National Health Insurance.
