Rwanda’s ministry of health mass distributes mosquito nets in drive to eliminate malaria

Rwanda has achieved significant reductions in the burden of malaria over the past decade. In 2005, malaria was the number one killer of children under five years. In 2008, it had dropped to third and eleventh in 2011. In order to continue the drive to eliminate malaria, the ministry of health is distributing four million Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLIN) this year. “They key to our success has been an aggressive Government-led roll out of an integrated mix of prevention, treatment and mosquito control activities, with a strong emphasis on strengthening our health system. Rwanda’s success stems from political commitment, country vision, vigilant leadership from top to bottom, and inherent responsibility throughout the health system from the highest levels to the volunteer community health workers in the village,” Dr. Corine Karema, Director of the National Malaria Control Program. Free LLINs are distributed to all households in mass campaigns, to all under five years children upon completion of vaccination and to pregnant women at their first ante natal care visit. The DHS 2010 preliminary report shows that 83 % of households nationwide own at least one mosquito net of any type, and 82 % own at least one insecticide-treated net. Seventy one percent of children under 5 years slept under a mosquito net the night before the survey. Overall, 73% of pregnant women age 15-49 slept under a mosquito net the night before the survey. There was household mass campaign distribution of mosquito nets in 2009-2010, since last year the following phase consists of replacement of LLINs distributed in 2010 with the idea that the nets will be replaced every 2 – 3 years.