Dr. Dorothy Hanson, a Medical Officer at the International Maritime Hospital (IMaH) in Tema, has warned that herbal medicines are ineffective in killing malaria parasites and only provide temporary relief from the symptoms.

She said many patients who relied on herbal concoctions for malaria treatment often ended up in the hospital with severe complications because the parasites remained in their bloodstreams and could reactivate later.

“Some types of malaria parasites, especially the plasmodium species, can stay dormant in the liver for years without causing any signs of illness…and if they are not cleared with the right medication, they can come back and cause recurrent episodes of malaria months or years later,” she explained.

Dr. Hanson was speaking at a health communication platform organised by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Tema to educate the public on various health issues.

She said malaria was caused by the bite of an infected female anopheles mosquito, which injected the parasites into the human body. The parasites then travelled to the liver, where they matured and multiplied before infecting the red blood cells and causing symptoms such as fever, headache, and chills.

She advised people to always test for malaria before starting any treatment, as some other diseases could have similar symptoms. She also urged them to seek proper medical care for malaria and avoid self-medication with herbal remedies.

Francis Ameyibor, the Tema Regional Manager of GNA, said the health communication platform, themed: “Your Health! Our Collective Responsibility,” was a media advocacy initiative to provide a platform for health experts to share credible and timely information on public health matters.

He said health was a priority for everyone and called for collective efforts to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent diseases.

“Your health is your responsibility; be informed and aware of what affects your health, your work, and your environment,” he said.