A top Global Fund official has commended Rwanda for her impeccable record in managing and accounting for the money donated by the Fund.

Speaking after the signing of a US $22.9 million (Rwf 13 billion) grant to help fight malaria, Caty Fall Sow, the senior portfolio manager - Global Fund, commended the government for effective utilisation of grants, adding that this signifies the government’s commitment towards improving the lives of its nationals.

"Rwanda’s performance is good. Whenever I make presentations about this country, people appreciate. You make us proud”, Sow said, adding that "Rwanda has been active in welcoming new initiatives”.

She pointed out that last year, the Inspector General at the Global Fund headquarters, made an assessment on the utilisation of funds and discovered that there was no mismanagement of funds in the country.

The grant will contribute to achieving health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by reducing the malaria burden through early detection of the scourge in all epidemic-prone areas.

The Minister of Health, Dr Agnes Binagwaho, commended Global Fund for extending its assistance, saying it demonstrates its willingness and commitment to eliminating Malaria, HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis.

"The grant that we are signing today is a perfect example of a performance-based funding recognised by the Ministry of Health and its partners.

We are  proud to say that Rwanda is a leading example in regard to reduction of malaria morbidity and mortality,” the Minister noted.

"All this has been possible because of a strong political will and bold leadership of the government”.

Josephine Mukasine, a 46-year old mother, who was carrying an eight –month old baby, said that incidences of malaria have reduced in her home.

"My children used to have malaria frequently, but now it’s rare to find this in my home. Medicines are available everywhere and I think it’s because of government’s intervention,” she said.

"If the grant is for fighting malaria, I think it’s a good initiative that will continue improving the lives of our children and us all”.

Rwanda is the biggest recipient of the Global Fund financing compared to all its regional partners, according to available data.

Statistics indicate that between 2005 and 2010, the country has registered enormous success in the fight against malaria, with a declining incidence of 70 percent, and the malaria prevalence at 2.1 percent according to Demographic Health Survey (DHS 2007/8).

The percentage of children under-5 years dying from malaria, decreased from 40.4 percent to 13 percent between 2005 and 2010. The country targets to attain 0.1% fatality rate among children under five years admitted with severe malaria.

The sub-recipients of the grant include Rwanda Drug Consumables and Equipment Central Procurement Agency (CAMERWA) , district hospitals and health centres.

Others are Single Project Implementation Unit (SPIU), the malaria unit at Trac plus, among others.

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