Government intensifies fight against malaria

Rising temperatures and ignoring of malaria preventive measures are to blame for rising malaria cases being reported in the country, Dr Agnes Binagwaho, the Health minister said yesterday. The country registered an increase in malaria cases from 514,173 in 2012 to 1,957,000 in 2015. However, since 2014 to 2015 there was a slight decline of malaria deaths from 499 to 424. “We have been facing the impact of global warming with an increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius in Rwanda for the last eight years. The climate has created a conducive environment for mosquitoes to breed. Besides eastern and southern regions being hot, even cold districts like Burera and Gicumbi are facing an increase in malaria patients contrary to the past,” she said during a news conference. Minister for Health, Agnes Binagwaho, in a meeting with religious leaders calling upon them to play a big role in sensitizing their flock to join the fight against malaria. Faustin Niyigena She said the same experience is being faced in Latin America, Ethiopia and elsewhere. Last year, experts say was the warmest year and next year could be worse according to the minister. The resistance of mosquitoes also varies due to weather changes. A mosquito lives for between 21 and 28 days and is able infect after every two days. It can fly up to two kilometres and 13 kilometres in an environment that favours it, meaning spreading the disease is quick, explained the minister. However, she said despite global warming, there is need to reinforce measures to control the disease spread to achieve the objective of zero malaria deaths. Binagwaho said there is laxity in implementation of existing preventive measures to avoid malaria out break. “Besides rising of temperature, we think people abandoned use of mosquito nets even if they own them or even closing doors and windows in the evening. Stagnant water, bushes and wastes also surround houses yet they are breeding ground for mosquitoes,” said the minister. She urged people to seek timely treatment, attributing many cases of malaria deaths to delays in seeking treatment due to many factors including not having health insurance. How cases can be reduced this year? The ministry announced a new contingency plan to fight the disease. Dr Patrick Ndimubanzi, state minister for Health said it will involve various stake holders including ministries, religious leaders, civil society and the media. A joint ‘Fighting malaria community works and environment management” drive is being designed to start this month. Under the plan, the ministry of Agriculture has been tasked with growing repellant plants. Also speaking at the press conference were religious leaders. Rev. Gato Corneille Munyamasoko, spokesperson of AEBR Church, and Mufti Sheikh Ibrahim Kayitare called for mass awareness campaigns. Archbishop of Kigali Diocese Thadee Ntihinyurwa said more interventions are needed to increase health insurance subscribers currently at 79 per cent. Minister Ndimubanzi, said in early February community health workers will not only treat children under five years suffering from malaria but also adults to ensure reduction in death rates. According to Dr Binagwaho, this year $22 million has been allocated to buy over 5 million mosquito nets. At least 891,000 durable mosquito nets will be distributed in the seven mostly affected districts in April. There have been complaints of delays in mosquito nets distribution. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Government intensifies fight against malaria