Senior government officials convened today in Rubavu district for an urgent meeting aimed at discussing measures that would prevent the spread of Cholera that has broken out in Neighbouring DR-Congo.
According to a press statement by the Ministry of Health, Cholera outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to spread close to the Rwandan border. There are no cases of cholera reported on the Rwandan side and that the situation is still normal on the Rwanda side.
“The imported cases from DR Congo were handled and contained mainly due to the usual rapid response measures implemented to fight the disease inside the country,” the statement reads in parts.
DR-Congo Health officials have registered up to 1228 cases of Cholera in North Kivu Province leading to 11 deaths as of last week.
It has also been reported that the first case of cholera was diagnosed in Rwanda on 13th February from an individual returning from North Kivu. Since then, 12 other cases were diagnosed and successfully treated and discharged one week ago.
It is said all registered cases were contaminated from DR-Congo but returned for treatment and have since been discharged with no recorded death. No new cases have been reported since February 22nd.
In a consultative meeting to address strategies of curbing the spread of Cholera into Rwanda,The Minister of Health, Dr. Agnes Binagwaho emphasized the need for vigilance and continuous sensitization of population on key hygienic preventive measures as well as quick and accurate rapid treatment for the sick.
“The Government of Rwanda takes great value in the lives of each and every citizen of this country,” Minister of Health Dr. Agnes Binagwaho said.
“For now we have managed to contain this outbreak but what I need to remind everyone is that this outbreak is a ticking bomb especially in neighbouring countries. Therefore, if we are not prepared, it could spread to our population,” the Minister cautioned.
To fully contain the situation and ensure no new infections occuring in the country, government officials agreed to enhanced Community sensitization and mobilization on best hygiene practices through mass media campaigns.
They also agreed to advise population on limited cross-border movements especially for social functions like burials or any other functions that can be postponed, abolish consumption of raw food stuffs sold alongside roads and ensure hygiene inspections by Local Government authorities for all households.
Other measures included placing informative and educative posters at Border posts, cross-border meetings between leaders and technicians to share best practices of combating Cholera epidemic in DRC, ensure rapid reporting and treatment of any cases that could emerge and implement all the elements of the Hygiene Campaign launched last year by His Excellency the President of the Republic.
Binagwaho said the Health Ministry would undertake sensitization meetings across all districts bordering DRC to re-enforce mechanisms of combating the outbreak of Cholera.
She also hailed district officials for taking seriously measures to combat the scourge which were the reasons for containing it so far.
The meeting which was presided over by Health minister attracted the State Minister for Local Government Dr. Alvera Mukabaramba, the Governors of North and Western province, District Mayors, and other district official, Senior Army and Police Commanders, Doctors, Nurses and Sector executives of both provinces.
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