The Japanese government, yesterday extended a grant of ¢24.5 billion to Ghana, for Infectious Diseases Prevention with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to be implemented in collaboration with Ghana's Polio Eradication and Malaria control Programme.

The Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Masamichi Ishikawa, who signed the exchange of notes on behalf of his government, Japan is covering 50% of the cost for polio vaccine and National Immunization Days (NID), whilst the other half would be borne by donors such as Rotary International, CDC Atlanta, WHO and UNICEF, in a collective effort for implementing the programme.

The Ambassador said the Government of Japan, has been offering support for Ghana's NIDs against polio for the past eight years.

The Ambassador acknowledged the contribution of UNICEF in the procurement of vaccines and equipment, as well as monitoring and giving feedback for planning purposes.

Mr. Ishikawa, added that the grant would enable UNICEF purchase Polio vaccines, mosquito nets, monitor and also facilitate the sub-National Immunization Days.

Commenting on the current health situation in Ghana, the Ambassador noted that, malaria, measles, respiratory and gastro-intestinal infection and nutritional deficiencies are the most common causes of ill health that affects children and adults in Ghana.

The deputy minister of Health, Dr. Gladys Norley Ashitey, expressed Ghana's appreciation to the government and people of Japan, for being faithful allies and hoped that the gesture would go a long way in the fight against polio and infant mortality.

Dr. Ashitey said the malaria component of the grant will be spent on the purchase of supplies and equipment.

According to her, "the sharp decline in childhood mortality experienced in the late 1980s and 1990s has stagnated and the health situation of children has not changed a great deal over the last five years."

She disclosed that from the 2003 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey of 2003 (GDHS), about 65,000 children below five years die annually and at this rate by the year 2015, Ghana would not be able to achieve the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of reducing the 1990 under-five mortality rate by two-thirds.

She further stated that, there is a major task of increasing the proportion of pregnant women and children under five who sleep in insecticide treated nets from its level of 8% to 60% by he end of the year.

To achieve the drive towards the global goal of polio eradication, the deputy minister noted that two rounds of synchronized NID's was held this year with neighboring West African countries.

The UNICEF Representative in Ghana, Dorothy Rozga, praised the government of Japan, saying, their financial support has not only helped to improve the health of Ghana's children, but also contributed in a large measure in saving many children's lives.

The polio eradication component of $930,000, she revealed would be used for the purchase of 6million doses of Oral Polio Vaccine and some logistics to enhance prompt delivery to the districts in support of NIDs synchronized with other West African countries.