Malaria deaths have increased by 37% since 2012

{The Ministry of Health has announced that malaria deaths have increased by 37% since 2012.}

Malaria patients rose from 514,173 in 2014 to 1, 957,000 in 2015 while deaths reduced from 499 in 2014 to 424 in 2015.

In a press briefing held yesterday, the Minister of Health, Dr.Agnes Binagwaho said that malaria cases multiplied thrice and 243 people died of malaria in the first quarter of 2016 while it claimed lives of 424 in 2015.

MINISANTE says that Malaria kills those who do not seek medical attention as soon as they feel malaria symptoms.

Reacting on the question of ineffective drugs in curing malaria, Minister Binagwaho said that drugs in Rwanda have not failed to heal Malaria.

“No drug failed to heal malaria even though some people may not take drugs.You know that malaria can cause headache and vomit and people suffering from stomachache don‘t take all required drugs,” she said.

Binagwaho explained that MINISANTE will distribute six million mosquito nets which will enable a net per two people.

She said that malaria may increase in dry season if no counteractive measures are embraced at households levels.

“The government may provide mosquito nets, train community health workers and pay Mituelle de santé but we can’t forget that failing to clean our residences and clearing bushes can negatively affect the drive to fighting Malaria,” she said.

She requested Rwandans subscribe to Mituelle de santé since the research carried out in the past two years demonstrated that people without medical insurance are killed by malaria times more three folds compared to Mituelle de santé subscribers.

The matter of Malaria increase was raised and discussed during the national dialogue held on December 22nd, 2015.