WESTERN PROVINCE

RUTSIRO — Malaria infections in Rutsiro District have reduced since the beginning of this year, district officials have said.

"No cases of malaria have been reported since early this year,” said Odette Mukantabana the vice mayor. According to statistics the infection rates currently stand at about 13 per cent down from 98 per cent in 2005.

In 2006 the infection rate was at 46 per cent.

The vice mayor added, "Since early this year only one person was diagnosed of malaria in Mushubati. The person had come from Kigali.” 

Speaking to The New Times recently, Mukantabana explained that the reduction in infection was due to numerous interventions by the district. Malaria previously accounted for a high rate of infant and maternal mortality rate.
"Now we no longer get many women who die while delivering. Malaria was causing the deaths,” said Jean Ndimubahire the Mayor.

The district is involved in sensitizing residents to clear bushes and stagnant water around their homes which act as breeding ground for mosquitoes. Other strategies involved are encouraging voluntary testing of residents from one Sector to another.

"Even if people felt normal, it was a must to test for malaria,” said a health worker at Ruhango health centre.

Every family got at least two mosquito nets with priority given to pregnant women, children below one year and poor people who can not afford them.

"That wasn’t a small task but it made our malaria risk go down,” said Mukantabana. The mayor said they have turned their campaign to health insurance.

"Right now we are giving priority to mutuelle de sante registration and we shall achieve it because of the strategies we have set within a given time,” the mayor said.

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