By George Kalisa;
Rwanda Development Organisation (RDO) in partnership with Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) are rolling out a spirited malaria fight campaign in Kigali themed zero malaria starts with me.
The malaria fight campaign this year started with Rutunga and Gikomero sectors of Gasabo that are most hit by malaria in Kigali according to RBC statistics.
Over 400/1000 people in these rural sectors of Gasabo suffer from malaria compared to 70 per cent malaria prevalence at national level, revealed Eugene Rwabasira, the Executive Secretary of RDO while addressing a myriad of residents on November 25.
Gasabo local leaders, school children, health workers working under the Kayanga Health centre, youths and representatives of Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) gathered at Rutunga Stadium in Kibenga village, Rutunga Sector where a day-long event took place.
Eugene Rwabasira, the Executive Secretary of RDO during the campaign
“Malaria prevalence is highest in Kigali and the situation is appalling in Gasabo District particularly in Rutunga and Gikomero – malaria cases are drastically rising so are deaths,” observed Rwabasira.
Prevalence of malaria at the national level stands at 70 per cent and disease continues to pose a potential health threat to the country.
“Clear bushes and breeding places for mosquitoes such as ponds and stagnant water surrounding your homes, close windows early, use mosquito nets and visit heath centres when you fall sick,” advised Rwibasira.
This mass malaria fight campaign was presided over by the Deputy Executive Administrator for Gasabo District, Regis Mudaheranwa who called on residents to adhere to the rules of preventing malaria.
“The country needs health people that can be more productive. Strictly follow the advice you’ve got from here – ensure that you sleep under mosquito nets,” he observed.
“Embrace the fight by collaborating with community Health Workers (CHW) contact them as soon you detect signs of malaria and remember to use mosquito nets regularly,” added Mudaheranwa.
Activities aimed at stepping up awareness about the need to fight malaria included a football match between Rutunga team and Gikomero.
Rutanga Sector FC beat Gikomero FC 5:4 and on top of a trophy it bagged Rwf300,000 while Gikomero took home Rwf200,000 in courtesy of RDO.
Meanwhile Rwabasira announced that the malaria fight will take place yearly and extend prizes to sectors that will have performed well in the ongoing fight against malaria.
Rwabasira also announced that his organization will pay mutuelle de sante (a public health scheme) for 100 residents from each of the two sectors.
Opinion leaders in the area evidently own the fight against malaria according to their testimonies.
“We work with CHWs under the programme of Kayanga Health Centre. At break time we let them talk to the pupils whenever they contact us,” said Robert Ukwiyimpundu, the Head Teacher of GS Rutunga.