RBC Director General, Prof. Claude Mambo Muvunyi, told IGIHE that after observing a resurgence of cases in several countries, an assessment was conducted to evaluate the local situation in Rwanda.
“After seeing an increase in infections in places like the United States, we carried out an evaluation and found that new cases had also emerged here,” he said.
Of approximately 16,000 tests conducted, 0.7% returned positive results. All individuals who tested positive are currently receiving appropriate medical care.
Prof. Muvunyi reported that most of the detected cases involved individuals who travel abroad frequently or had contact with international travellers.
“All confirmed cases are being treated using standard protocols, and they’ve been advised to take precautions to avoid spreading the virus,” he said.
Prof. Muvunyi emphasised that there is no cause for concern at this stage, as the cases are mild and resemble common flu symptoms. None of the patients is in serious condition.
“There’s nothing alarming. The confirmed cases are experiencing mild symptoms, and the overall infection rate is still below 1%,” he said, adding, “Anyone with flu symptoms should seek medical attention, avoid close contact with others, practice hand hygiene, and wear a mask if symptomatic.”
{{Global trends and a new variant
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Countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States have also seen a spike in Covid-19 cases. A new variant, known as NB.1.8.1, now accounts for around 10% of global infections and has been identified in Northern Ireland and Wales.
Although this variant does not appear to cause more severe symptoms than previous ones, experts caution that it may be more efficient at entering human cells.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Covid-19 has continued to mutate between January and May. The current strain is considered the most rapidly spreading variant so far.
Since January 2025, the Omicron variant has spread widely across the United States, Australia, and Thailand, and remains dominant in China and Hong Kong.
RBC has assured the public that it is maintaining active surveillance and continues working to contain the virus.
{{Health Ministry urges caution
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Earlier, through a social media post X, the Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, urged the public to remain vigilant in the face of rising seasonal illnesses, including Covid-19, as the country transitions from the rainy season to the dry season.
“Maintain good hygiene and protect others if you have symptoms,” he said.
The Gates Foundation chairman spoke at the foundation’s event held at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa on Monday, June 2. The event was attended by over 12,000 participants, including African leaders, health workers, development experts, and youth.
He reiterated his commitment to donate $200 billion over the next 20 years, most of which will go to Africa, to support health systems and sustainable development.
Gates said that resilient health systems cannot be achieved without African leadership and homegrown solutions. He emphasised that unleashing human potential through health and education should place every African country on a path to prosperity.
“By unleashing human potential through health and education, every country in Africa should be on a path to prosperity – and that path is an exciting thing to be part of,” he added.
He stressed the transformative role AI can play in healthcare, citing Rwanda’s use of AI-powered ultrasound to detect high-risk pregnancies and improve maternal care.
He also highlighted how African youth are embracing AI and thinking critically about how to apply it to solve local problems.
In addition to Rwanda, Gates mentioned Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Zambia as countries where data, technology, and community-based systems are being used to reduce child mortality and combat diseases like malaria and HIV.
“I’ve always been inspired by the hard work of Africans even in places with very limited resources. The kind of fieldwork to get solutions out, even in the most rural areas, has been incredible,” Gates remarked.
In Rwanda, companies such as eFiche are providing AI-powered health services that include disease prediction, health data management, and advanced diagnostics.
Recently, Rwanda’s Ministry of Health launched a new AI-driven platform that allows community health workers to receive training via mobile phones, removing the need for in-person sessions.
During his speech, Gates called for deeper investment in primary healthcare, describing it as foundational to improving well-being and reducing inequality across the continent.
“With primary healthcare, what we’ve learned is that helping the mother be healthy and have great nutrition before she gets pregnant, while she is pregnant, delivers the strongest results,” he said.
“Ensuring the child receives good nutrition in their first four years as well makes all the difference.”
The event also featured remarks from international figures such as WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, and advocate Graça Machel, who called for sustained partnerships to advance Africa’s development goals.
Machel described Gates’ long-standing collaboration with Africa as a reflection of his respect for African leadership, ideas, and innovation.
“We are counting on Mr Gates’ steadfast commitment to continue walking this path of transformation alongside us,” Machel stated.
Gates committed to giving 99% of his wealth to charity as the Gates Foundation marked its 25th anniversary last month. At the event, he also shared his plan to wind down the foundation by 2045.
He noted that this decision was inspired in part by Andrew Carnegie’s 1889 essay, ‘The Gospel of Wealth,’ which argued that the rich should return their fortunes to society.
The Frw 50 coin was extracted on Monday, May 26, 2025, using endoscopy, a minimally invasive procedure that avoided the need for surgery.
The child’s mother said she had initially been told that surgery would be necessary to remove the coin.
However, doctors at CHUK’s gastrointestinal (GI) medical service used an endoscope, a flexible tube with a camera and tools inserted through the mouth into the stomach, to locate and safely remove the foreign object.
Endoscopy allows doctors to diagnose and treat conditions inside the digestive tract without making incisions, reducing recovery time and risks associated with open surgery.
This successful procedure comes amid growing advances in Rwanda’s medical field. Earlier this month, King Faisal Hospital performed the country’s first percutaneous closure of a patent foramen ovale (PFO), a rare heart procedure conducted on a stroke patient.
The procedure, carried out on May 16, was led by visiting Swiss cardiologist Dr. Hugues Lucron alongside Rwandan specialist Dr. Gérard Misago.
A PFO is a small opening between the heart’s upper chambers that normally closes after birth but can remain open in some people, increasing the risk of stroke.
Using a catheter inserted through a vein, the medical team deployed a nickel-titanium closure device to seal the opening permanently. Over time, heart tissue grows around the device, completing the repair.
King Faisal Hospital expressed gratitude to Occlutech Europe and its partners for supporting this national milestone, calling it a significant step forward in advancing cardiovascular care in Rwanda.
The two recent successful procedures showcase Rwanda’s progress in adopting minimally invasive medical technologies that enhance patient outcomes and save lives.
Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Angola, Burundi, Malawi, Uganda, Sao Tome Principe, South Sudan, Zambia, Kenya, the Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic will work with development partners, civil society organizations, and other health experts from across Africa who committed to an agreement at a regional meeting held in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.
According to a statement released by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the agreement will further help streamline cross-border transmission challenges, data-sharing mechanisms among countries, and the movement of affected populations.
The Africa CDC reported that the continent has recorded over 16,398 confirmed mpox cases and 1,180 deaths in 22 countries as of Feb. 10.
“The regional nature of the mpox outbreak demands a collective solution. That is why this gathering is so crucial — it is not only a forum for exchanging knowledge but also a springboard for collective action,” said Otim Patrick Ramadan, acting regional manager for emergency response at the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa.
Ramadhan said the health agency looks forward to continuing its work with member states and partners to build on the gains made and meet persistent challenges head-on.
Linda Mobula, World Bank senior health specialist in the DRC, said epidemics do not have borders, hence the need to reinforce cross-border collaboration and coordination.
“An agreement is therefore critically important to drive political momentum, reinforce the enabling environment, and strengthen governance,” Mobula added.
The World Bank, in collaboration with the Africa CDC, the WHO, and other partners, including the United Nations Children’s Fund and the International Organization for Migration, convened the meeting to facilitate political engagement, technical discussions, and cross-border cooperation among stakeholders.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that primarily affects the musculoskeletal system. It is characterized by widespread body pain, persistent fatigue, and sleep disturbances.
What sets it apart is that it doesn’t show up in standard medical tests, making it difficult to diagnose and often misunderstood.
Dr. Theoneste Rubanzabigwi, a Family Medicine specialist at Baho International Hospital, told IGIHE that fibromyalgia is frequently misdiagnosed due to its overlapping symptoms with other conditions.
“Fibromyalgia often begins with localized pain—commonly in the back of the neck or thighs—but as it progresses, the pain spreads throughout the body. Some patients become so sensitive that even light touches can cause discomfort,” Dr. Rubanzabigwi explained.
He noted that although patients may appear physically healthy, they often experience ongoing, invisible pain. Many learn to live with the discomfort, adapting to it in order to carry on with their daily routines.
“In developed countries where research is more advanced, it’s estimated that 4% to 8% of the population is affected by fibromyalgia. That means in a group of 1,000 people, up to 80 may be living with it,” he added.
While the exact cause of fibromyalgia remains unclear, studies suggest contributing factors such as high stress levels, physical or emotional trauma, and abnormalities in how the nervous system processes pain. However, the condition is not contagious.
Although there is no known cure, Dr. Rubanzabigwi emphasized that effective management is possible. Treatment typically involves a combination of regular physical exercise, appropriate pain medication, and mental health support.
He urged anyone experiencing consistent, unexplained pain and fatigue to seek medical evaluation early, as the condition often goes unrecognized for at least three months. While fibromyalgia most commonly affects women over the age of 40, it can also occur in men.
A vaccine confidence report, launched by MSD in partnership with Professor Hannelie Meyer, head of the South African vaccination and immunization center, reveals alarming levels of vaccine hesitancy in South Africa.
According to the report, 71% of participants expressed reluctance toward at least one available vaccine in the country. The findings were shared during the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases conference and the SSA HPV media roundtable, held on April 24, 2025.
“This reluctance is troubling, given the direct link between HPV and cervical cancer. Addressing these fears with credible information is vital in reducing the burden in sub-Saharan Africa,” said Meyer.
Cervical cancer, primarily caused by persistent HPV infection, is one of the most common and deadly cancers among African women.
“There is no time to waste. We must work together to share accurate information, address concerns, and make vaccines truly accessible. Only then can we protect future generations from preventable diseases,” she said.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 94% of global cervical cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, with sub-Saharan Africa particularly affected.
Young women under the age of 25 are at heightened risk, with a regional HPV prevalence of 43.9%, more than double the global rate of 19.2%.
In Rwanda, before the rollout of the national HPV vaccination program, 54% of girls aged 19 and under tested positive for HPV. Even in Egypt, where the overall burden is lower, cervical cancer ranks among the top 10 cancers affecting women aged between 15 and 44.
Ghana sees approximately 3,000 cervical cancer diagnoses and 2,000 related deaths each year, highlighting the devastating impact of the disease.
Misinformation, particularly through social media, has been a major driver of vaccine hesitancy, eroding trust in healthcare systems. Economic constraints and shifting global funding priorities have further limited access to vaccines, particularly in low-income communities.
“Routine immunization has saved millions of lives. When misinformation and resource constraints disrupt these efforts, we risk undoing decades of progress,” said Dr. Alima Essoh, Regional Director at the Preventive Medicine Agency for Africa (AMP Africa).
A study published in scientific reports in May 2023, which examined vaccination behaviors in six African countries, found that only about 10% of respondents had received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine.
South Africa recorded the highest hesitancy rate at 17.15%, while Kenya had the lowest at 8.3%. To combat this challenge, experts emphasize the need for innovative, community-based strategies.
“Engaging and accessible tools, such as comic books and school-based vaccination, have significantly enhanced vaccine uptake among young people,” said Dr. Sabrina Kitaka, Senior Lecturer at Makerere University.
She also highlighted the success of reminder systems, like SMS alerts and automated calls, in helping adolescents complete the full vaccine schedule.
“Tackling vaccine hesitancy will require a coordinated approach involving governments, healthcare workers, civil society, and the private sector. “We must meet communities where they are, build trust, and ensure that vaccines are accessible,” Kitaka added.
Looking ahead, WHO’s 2030 target aims to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat by ensuring that 90% of girls are fully vaccinated against HPV by age 15. But vaccine hesitancy stands in the way of this ambitious goal.
In an insightful interview with IGIHE, Dr. Eldirdiri Osman Ali, a medical expert from Baho International Hospital, shared valuable knowledge about the types, causes, symptoms, and management of diabetes.
The diabetologist’s expertise sheds light on how early recognition and lifestyle changes can make a significant difference in combating this pervasive disease.
Dr. Ali began by distinguishing between the two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 2 diabetes, he noted, accounts for approximately 90% of cases worldwide, making it the predominant form.
This condition arises when the body either fails to produce sufficient insulin—a hormone essential for transporting sugar into cells—or becomes insensitive to insulin, impairing sugar metabolism.
The result is a cascade of health issues that can affect nearly every organ in the body, from the heart and kidneys to the eyes, feet, and nervous system. Beyond physical complications, diabetes can also take a toll on mental health and interpersonal relationships, underscoring its far-reaching consequences.
The causes of diabetes, as Dr. Ali explained, are multifaceted, with lifestyle playing a central role. Obesity, lack of physical activity, and a sedentary lifestyle are major contributors, particularly when coupled with excessive abdominal fat, which triggers inflammation throughout the body. Hereditary factors also increase susceptibility, meaning individuals with a family history of diabetes are at higher risk.
Other risk factors include gestational diabetes during pregnancy, certain ovarian conditions, and the use of medications like steroids, which can induce the condition. Dr. Ali emphasized that these factors, while diverse, often converge on one key issue: lifestyle choices.
Recognizing diabetes early is crucial to preventing its severe complications, which include heart attacks, kidney failure, blindness, non-healing wounds, and neurological issues.
Dr. Ali highlighted common symptoms that should prompt a visit to the doctor: excessive thirst, frequent urination (especially at night), blurred vision, slow-healing wounds, and persistent fatigue.
Alarmingly, some individuals remain unaware of their condition until a major complication, such as a heart attack, reveals it.
“If you delay diabetes for five years without knowing, that’s when complications arise,” Dr. Ali warned, stressing that while early-stage diabetes is manageable, reversing complications is far more challenging.
Prevention and management, according to Dr. Ali, hinge on proactive lifestyle changes. He advocated for at least 30 minutes of brisk walking five times a week, describing it as a simple, cost-effective way to reduce risk.
Dietary adjustments are equally important: avoiding sugary foods, white bread, rice, and fizzy drinks while prioritizing vegetables, beans, and lean meats can significantly improve health outcomes.
Smoking cessation and minimal alcohol consumption further support prevention efforts. For those already diagnosed, controlling blood sugar through regular testing, adherence to prescribed medications, and exercise is paramount.
Dr. Ali underscored the importance of exercise, noting that it constitutes “50% of the treatment” for diabetes, complementing the effects of medications.
Treatment approaches vary depending on the severity of the condition. Initial management often involves Metformin, a tablet taken once or twice daily, with additional drugs introduced if blood sugar levels remain high.
In advanced cases, where the pancreas no longer produces insulin, injections become necessary. Dr. Ali emphasized the role of regular check-ups and tests like glycated hemoglobin, which provide a three-month snapshot of blood sugar control, guiding treatment decisions.
Below are some fascinating reasons behind this biological inequality and what it might mean for human health bearing in mind that every day, cells face an onslaught of oxidative stress.
This occurs when unstable molecules called free radicals build up faster than your body can neutralize them. These free radicals damage cells through a process similar to how rust corrodes metal or how a cut apple turns brown when exposed to air.
The human body counters this threat by producing antioxidants, molecules that neutralize free radicals before they can cause harm. Antioxidants can be compared to cellular firefighters, constantly putting out tiny biochemical fires before they spread and cause serious damage.
While diet provides some antioxidants, the most important defense comes from enzymes your body produces internally. Unlike dietary antioxidants, which work once and are used up, these enzymatic antioxidants can neutralize thousands of free radicals before needing replacement.
The efficiency of this internal antioxidant production system varies dramatically between individuals. Some people simply hit the genetic lottery when it comes to antioxidant production. Their bodies naturally create more protective enzymes thanks to specific genetic variations.
Some people carry variants that make this system more responsive, essentially giving them a more sensitive alarm system that activates defenses earlier and more robustly.
If you inherited advantageous versions of these genes from your parents, your cells might be better equipped to handle oxidative stress without you doing anything special. It’s an invisible advantage that becomes apparent only over decades as your body accumulates less damage than others.
{{The hormonal effect}}
Beyond baseline genetic differences, some people’s bodies respond more effectively to environmental challenges, ramping up antioxidant production precisely when needed.
This adaptive response works like muscle growth. Just as lifting weights stresses your muscles and triggers them to grow stronger, mild biological stress can prompt your cells to boost their antioxidant defenses.
This phenomenon, called hormesis, explains why certain types of stress can actually make you more resilient. People with highly responsive stress adaptation systems experience a stronger hormetic effect.
When exposed to moderate exercise, intermittent fasting, temperature extremes, or even certain plant compounds, their bodies dramatically increase antioxidant enzyme production.
This biological resilience isn’t distributed equally. Some individuals show a robust hormetic response to mild stressors, while others produce a much weaker reaction to the same stimulus.
Those with more responsive systems effectively train their cellular defenses each time they encounter manageable stress, continuously strengthening their protection against oxidative damage.
The difference becomes apparent when facing major stressors like illness, injury, or environmental toxins. High responders rapidly mobilize their enhanced antioxidant defenses, potentially limiting tissue damage and accelerating recovery.
Your body’s relationship with inflammation fundamentally influences its antioxidant capacity, creating another source of variation between individuals.
Autonomic nervous system balance also plays a crucial role. Those whose nervous systems favor parasympathetic activity tend to experience less stress-induced inflammation.
This biological tendency toward a “rest and digest” state rather than “fight or flight” reduces oxidative burden and preserves antioxidant resources.
Autoimmune tendencies create another source of variation. Some individuals have immune systems more prone to attacking their own tissues, creating inflammation and oxidative damage. Others maintain better immunological self-tolerance, avoiding this additional oxidative burden.
These differences in inflammatory tendency mean that even among people with similar antioxidant-producing capacity, those with naturally lower inflammation effectively have more antioxidant resources available to handle other challenges.
{{The lifestyle amplifiers}}
While genetics sets your baseline antioxidant production capacity, lifestyle choices can dramatically amplify or diminish this natural potential.
Sleep quality acts as a major regulator of oxidative stress. During deep sleep, your body activates powerful antioxidant and repair systems. People who naturally sleep deeply or prioritize quality sleep give their bodies extended time to neutralize free radicals and repair oxidative damage.
Dietary patterns influence both inflammation levels and the raw materials available for antioxidant production. Some individuals intuitively prefer foods rich in antioxidant precursors like sulfur compounds and minerals that support enzyme function.
This natural preference provides their bodies with optimal building blocks for antioxidant enzymes. Exercise habits also create perhaps the most significant lifestyle difference. Regular physical activity stimulates mitochondrial growth and enhances antioxidant enzyme production.
However, excessive exercise without adequate recovery can overwhelm antioxidant defenses and increase oxidative damage. People who naturally find the sweet spot of beneficial hormetic stress without crossing into damaging territory reap the greatest antioxidant benefits.
Environmental exposure varies dramatically between individuals. Some people habitually avoid toxins in their food, water, and household products, reducing the oxidative burden on their bodies.
Others inherited detoxification systems that more efficiently neutralize unavoidable environmental contaminants. Either way, their antioxidant systems face less demand from external toxins.
{{The practical takeaways for everyone}}
While we can’t change our genetic inheritance, understanding the factors that influence antioxidant production offers practical insights for everyone, regardless of your natural starting point. Genetic testing can provide clues about your antioxidant potential.
Phytonutrient consumption becomes particularly important if you suspect your antioxidant genes aren’t top performers. Compounds like sulforaphane from cruciferous vegetables, resveratrol from grapes, and curcumin from turmeric can activate the pathway and boost your body’s antioxidant enzyme production.
Strategic hormesis through practices like contrast showers, intermittent fasting, or high-intensity interval training can train your adaptive stress response systems to become more efficient.
Start gently and progress gradually to avoid overwhelming your current capacity. This approach becomes especially valuable if you have genetic variants associated with higher inflammatory tendencies.
Micronutrient adequacy ensures your body has all the raw materials needed for antioxidant enzyme production. Key nutrients include selenium, zinc, manganese, and copper, which serve as cofactors for various antioxidant enzymes.
Whether you’re naturally blessed with robust antioxidant production or need to work a bit harder to support your cellular defenses, these approaches can help maximize whatever genetic potential you have.
The goal isn’t to compare yourself to others but to optimize your unique biological machinery for greater resilience and longevity.
The remarkable diversity in human antioxidant capacity reminds us that health isn’t just about what we do but also about the invisible biological resources we’re working with.
Understanding these differences fosters both self-compassion and targeted approaches to supporting our individual biochemistry.
This was announced by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a speech delivered on April 7, 2025, where he urged governments to invest in healthcare infrastructure and prioritize international agreements aimed at preventing pandemics.
“The next pandemic could happen 20 years from now—or tomorrow. But it will come, and no matter when it does, we must be ready,” Ghebreyesus stated.
He emphasized that a future pandemic could cause greater damage to societies and economies than war, highlighting how current investments in health are minimal compared to what governments spend on military efforts.
The WHO reminded the world that the most recent global pandemic, COVID-19, claimed 20 million lives worldwide and cost an estimated $10 trillion globally.
In February, during an appearance on ABC News’ The View to promote his new book Source Code: My Beginnings, Bill Gates also warned of another potential pandemic following COVID-19.
He reflected on his previous warnings about pandemics, noting how they sadly came true when COVID-19 struck in 2020. When asked how he felt about having predicted the crisis, he responded:
“The sad thing is, the pandemic we warned about did happen. And that won’t be the last one. The next could be even worse,” he said.
Bill Gates estimated the timeline of a potential new pandemic. “It could happen once in the next 25 years. And based on the viruses currently circulating, there’s about a 10% chance we’ll see a pandemic in the next four years,” he said.
The program, launched on April 3, 2025, in Gisagara District at Gakoma Hospital, is part of a collaboration between the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) and Zipline, a company specializing in drone-based medical deliveries.
Dr. Jean Damascène Niyonzima, who heads the malaria control unit at RBC, said the new approach is designed to solve delays in the traditional drug delivery system, which can put patients at serious risk, especially in urgent malaria cases.
“The distribution routes for medication are often long, and road transport tends to face challenges that cause delays. That’s why we introduced this drone delivery system to ensure that if a patient with severe malaria needs an urgent injectable treatment that’s out of stock locally, the medicine can reach them in time,” he explained.
He emphasized the importance of technology in modern healthcare response, “Embracing technology is something we’ve found to be very effective in helping us respond quickly to patients in need.”
Gisagara district mayor, Jérôme Rutaburingoga, highlighted the area’s vulnerability to malaria due to surrounding wetlands, which provide ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes. He said new strategies are being implemented to fight the disease.
“We’ve taken special measures. Right now, our community health workers are treating more patients than all other health professionals combined. This ensures anyone who gets sick is treated immediately and no time is lost,” he said.
He also mentioned efforts to make mosquito nets more affordable: “We’ve agreed with RBC to reduce the price of insecticide-treated nets to 5,000 Rwandan Francs from the current 10,000, to make them more accessible to the population.”
Gisagara District recorded approximately 106,000 malaria cases in the 2024/25 fiscal year, up from over 59,000 in the previous year. The most affected sectors are those near wetlands.
Severe malaria cases have been reported in Gisagara, Nyamasheke, and Nyagatare, with some patients losing their lives due to delayed treatment. Nationwide, malaria has claimed 61 lives so far this year, according to RBC data.
The drone-based delivery system will initially operate in Gisagara, Nyamasheke, and Nyagatare Districts, serving hospitals and health centers. The program is expected to expand to other parts of the country in the near future.
