A recent report by the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) indicates that Rwanda has slashed malaria cases by 71 per cent between 2016 and 2021. The progress is largely thanks to robust preventive interventions such as mosquito-treated nets and indoor residual spraying. Available data shows that from 4.8 million cases registered in 2016/17, the number dropped to 2.5 million in 2019/20 before a further decline to 1.4 million in the 2020/21 fiscal year. The incidence of severe malaria cases has also remarkably gone down from 18,000 cases in 2016 to 2,500 this year. This publication understands that data on malaria deaths will be available next month, but it is also expected to reflect a noticeable improvement. Last year’s progress was made despite, like the rest of the world, the country fighting the Covid-19 pandemic that disrupted the world order, and more so health systems. While the country has achieved significant progress in reducing the burden of malaria over the years, there should not be room for complacency until the disease is completely eradicated. There is still work to do. According to Dr Aimable Mbituyumuremyi, the Head of Malaria and other Parasitic Infections Unit at RBC, the Community Health Workers have also been crucial contributors in the reduction and management of malaria cases, and their role has never been more important. “Community health workers test and offer treatment early enough, and this means that they are absorbing 54 per cent of the national malaria cases.” With the ongoing trials of a malaria vaccine – developed by University of Oxford in the United Kingdom – currently at 77 per cent efficacy, there is hope but, until it is available, we should maintain the traditional preventive methods; clearing bushes and stagnated waters in our vicinity, and proper use of medically-treated bed nets. As this year’s theme of the World Malaria Day, marked on April 25, emphasised: “Zero Malaria Starts with Me.” Just like it is the case with coronavirus, battling malaria cannot be a fight for the government alone. For the gains to be sustained, every member of the public needs to play their individual part by taking preventive measures seriously and seeking treatment early to avoid severe cases or any unnecessary loss of life. Malaria is present in all but three African countries – Mauritius, Morocco and Algeria – and 87 globally, and consented efforts in the fight could deliver us a malaria-free Rwanda.
