Nyagatare records drop in malaria cases

The US Ambassador to Rwanda, Donald W. Koran, has commended government’s efforts to reduce malaria incidents in the country. He was speaking in Nyagatare on Tuesday.Ambassador Koran along with a visiting delegation of Americans, assessed health service delivery at Nyagatare Hospital. He applauded the work done by Community Health Workers (CHW) in controlling malaria in villages across Rwanda.“CHW’s statistics on malaria control are quite amazing. It makes us proud to assist Rwanda in the fight against malaria. Our support in the noble cause will remain,” he said.The Minister of Health, Dr. Agnes Binagwaho, said malaria cases in Nyagatare District had declined drastically this year.She attributed the decline to house spray, use of mosquito nets, availability of medicine and vigilance of CHW.“Malaria cases have reduced by 75 per cent in a very short time,” she said. Malaria cases in the district moved downwards from 39.4 per cent to 7.9 per cent.Statistics show that between 2005 and 2011, the malaria incidence in Rwanda declined by 86 per cent and malaria deaths declined by 74 per cent in the same period.In 2012, Rwanda was among seven African countries that won the prestigious 2012 African Leaders Malaria Alliance awards for improving access to malaria control and treatment.The minister hailed partners, particularly the US that is fighting malaria through its programme known as ‘Presidential Malaria Initiative.Nyagatare mayor Fred Sabiti Atuhe, however, requested the ministry to give the district hospital more support to improve on transport, communication and infrastructure.“This is the biggest district in the country with a very big population, but we do not have enough ambulances. Our only hospital lacks mortuary and maternity services. We need the Ministry’s intervention,” he said.Other issues raised include; lack of funds to replace asbestos roofing at the hospital and unpaid debts in health centres.Reacting to the challenges and requests made by local leaders and health workers in the district, Binagwaho said the issues would be addressed.“You will soon get a new ambulance but you must maintain it well. Other infrastructure developments are also in the pipeline,” she assured residents.

National

Nyagatare records drop in malaria cases