According to the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), malaria cases in Rwanda have seen a significant decline of 88% as of 2023. This noteworthy progress comes as Rwanda prepares to participate in World Malaria Day on April 25th, an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about malaria and gathering support for its prevention and treatment efforts.
Dr. Aimable Mbituyumuremyi, Division Manager of Malaria, Neglected Tropical Diseases, and Other Parasitic Diseases at RBC, reported that in 2016, the country recorded approximately five million malaria cases. However, through a combination of intervention measures, this number plummeted to 600,000 by 2023, marking an impressive 88% reduction.
Dr. Mbituyumuremyi highlighted the impact of timely treatment in mitigating severe malaria cases, noting that cases resulting from delayed treatment dropped from 18,000 in 2016 to 1,300 in 2023, a reduction of 90%. Furthermore, malaria-related deaths decreased from over 600 in 2016 to 51 in 2023, representing a 91% reduction.
Community healthcare workers have played a crucial role in managing malaria cases, with their involvement increasing from 18% in 2016 to 60% presently. Dr. Mbituyumuremyi emphasized the importance of community health workers in malaria management, diagnosis, and treatment, with two workers assigned to each village.
Rwanda has implemented evidence-based approaches to malaria control, including information dissemination, the distribution of Long-lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs), Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS), and early diagnosis and treatment of malaria cases. Extensive IRS campaigns in 12 districts and LLIN distribution in 18 districts have contributed to a 71% decrease in malaria cases between 2016 and 2021.
In 2020, the RBC introduced larviciding using drones, aimed at killing mosquito larvae in water sources before they mature into adult mosquitoes. Additionally, an integrated vector management program has been launched, involving community training to identify mosquito breeding areas and prevent malaria transmission.
Despite challenges such as mosquito resistance to insecticides and pesticides, Rwanda remains committed to eliminating malaria by 2030. The World Health Organization’s global strategy for malaria aims to reduce malaria incidence and mortality rates by at least 90% by 2030, as well as eliminate malaria in at least 35 countries by the same year.
Rwanda is currently hosting the 8th Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (MIM) Society Conference, focusing on grassroots mobilization to end malaria through investment, innovation, and integration. The conference aims to foster global collaboration in malaria research and control, ensuring the accessibility of competent malaria researchers and managers needed to effectively contain the disease in Africa.
