Rwanda : 30 Cholera Cases Reported At Nkombo Island

Via All Africa :

" At leaset 26 people have been treated for Cholera at Nkombo Island since August, with hundreds of others at the risk of contracting the disease.

According to the director of Nkombo Health Centre, Didas Mukeshimana, the disease outbreak is attributed to low access to clean and safe water at the island.

No death has so far been recorded officials said. The statistics were announced during a meeting to discuss how to avert the outbreak on the Lake Kivu Island this week that brought together local health and grassroots leaders, district officials and residents.

Nkombo Island is approximately 11 Kilometres from Kamembe town.

The island, which is one of the 18 sectors that make up Rusizi District, covers an area of 21 square kilometres and is populated by about 17,000 residents."

Rwanda : Nyagatare Grapples With Malaria

Via All Africa :

" The Minister of Health, Dr Agnes Binagwaho, has called for collective efforts in the fight against malaria in Nyagatare District.

The Minister was last week meeting health officials and district authorities at the Nyagatare School of Nursing and Midwifery to discuss the issue of malaria prevalence in the district.

Reports compiled from various health centres in the district indicate that Nyagatare tops malaria prevalence in the country - at 40.4 percent.

While the government plans to completely eradicate malaria by 2015, health specialists in the district warned the percentage of malaria infection could rise unless tough measures are taken."

Rwanda : Malaria On the Rise Among Workers At Nyagatare Rice Scheme

Via All Africa :

" Many workers at Kilimburi Rice Scheme in Nyagatare district have been hit by Malaria due to lack of mosquito nets.

The scheme in Tabagwe Sector, Nyagatare District, is run by Rural Sector Support Project (RSSP) and is set to produce 21,000 tonnes of rice annually with a projected annual income of Rwf 4.5 billion once complete.

When The Sunday Times visited over 170 workers camping in tents in Cyenjojo cell, most of them were suffering from severe malaria.

"I have slept in this tent for a week without going to work because of severe Malaria that hit me last week. We don't get access to mosquito nets yet this place is home to mosquitoes due to its terrain," narrated one Nzabamwita, a casual worker at the rice scheme.

Another worker, who declined to be named said; "We hear there is a massive distribution of mosquito nets around the district but we wonder why RSSP did not advocate for us to receive those prevention kits like others. And when we complain of suffering from Malaria, our managers keep a deaf ear," he said.

A report presented in a recent district security meeting cited Nyagatare District as having the highest cases of malaria compared to other districts in the country."

In Rwanda, successfully fighting a resurgence of malaria

News release from UNICEF on situation of Malaria in Rwanda, excerpt :

" NYAMATA, Rwanda, 19 January 2012 : Across Rwanda, children are benefiting from faster malaria diagnosis, the widespread distribution of nets, and the diligence of hospital and health centre staffs determined to keep malaria in check.

These renewed efforts are driven by a recent resurgence in malaria cases, following the country’s drastic reduction in both illness and death rates from malaria.

“In May 2010, we had 32 malaria-related deaths of children under the age of 5 in our district,” said Celestin Nzarerwanimana during an interview in late 2011. He is a community health supervisor at Nyamata Hospital in southern Rwanda.

“This year, in May we had only 17 deaths. Our efforts are working, but we still need to remain vigilant.”

‘Our team is advancing’

The Government of Rwanda is serious about this vigilance, and has procured new equipment to ensure rapid diagnosis and treatment. Among these essential supplies is the rapid malaria test, which makes a diagnosis using blood from a pricked finger.

In addition, community health workers have visited tens of thousands of homes to check whether families were properly using their bed nets. They also provided advice about hygiene, safe water, nutrition and family planning."