War on Malaria can be won

Yesterday was the International Malaria Day, and it was held under the befitting theme of “Sustain Gains, Save Lives: Invest in Malaria.” It’s a day in which the world seeks to rekindle political and community commitment to making strategies against malaria, so as achieve the goal of “zero target” by 2015.In Rwanda, recent statistics indicate a steady decline in malaria cases.Significant reductions were registered in morbidity, from 1,669,614 malaria cases in 2005 to 212,200 cases in 2011, with mortality falling from 1,582 deaths in 2005 to 380 death in 2011.The drop has been partly attributed to the widespread use of treated mosquito nets, the contribution of the grassroots-based community health volunteers, as well as the universal health insurance scheme, Mutuelle de Sante, which covers more than 90 per cent of the population.Special emphasis has been placed on pregnant women and children under the age of five, with community health workers playing a central role in early diagnosis and treatment.To consolidate these gains, it is important that the country strengthens the interventions behind this improvement. Although the vast majority of the population now seems to understand the importance of seeking medical assistance early enough, more vigilance is needed to avoid any possible rollback of in the number of infections.Malaria remains one of the top killer-diseases worldwide, with more than 650,000 deaths reported every year the world over. While globally and particularly in Africa, there is a drop in the deaths, there’s need to stay the course by ensuring that every member of the community gets involved in this cause. It is the only way we can eradicate malaria.

Opinions

War on Malaria can be won