Bravo! Ministry of Health

Dear Editor, I was delighted when I read a report published in The New Times on February 5 in which the World Health Organisation (WHO) stated that Rwanda had registered tremendous success in the fight against malaria, one of the leading killer diseases in developing countries. The WHO report stated that in 2007, the number of hospitalised cases of malaria in children under five years of age was 64 percent lower compared to 2005. The deaths were also lowered by 66 percent. In fact, Rwanda tops the list of African countries that have hit over 50 percent reduction in malaria deaths in the past two years. Rwanda’s success is attributed to nationwide distribution of treated mosquito nets and the Indoor Residual Spray (IRS) using ICON pesticide that was done mid last year. With such an encouraging report, I urge Rwandans not to sit back and relax because this doesn’t mean that Rwanda is free from malaria spreading vector. However, Rwandans should maintain the fight against the tropical disease that is currently responsible for the biggest percentage of deaths in Africa. GICUMBI

Opinions

Bravo! Ministry of Health