A View from Rwanda: Congressional Briefing Highlights Impact of U.S. funded Anti-Malari...( Rwandan Heal...),Health

Rwandan Health Ministry Official shows programs funded by the Global Fund and President's Malaria Initiative help Rwanda reduce malaria deaths by more than 60 percent.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) April 23, 2009 -- At a Congressional briefing held today in advance of World Malaria Day, speakers discussed the current state of malaria in Rwanda and how the country reduced deaths due to the disease by more than 60 percent. The briefing highlighted the crucial role of political commitment of Rwandan leaders, partnerships, community engagement, and U.S. support for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria and the U.S. Malaria Programs in making this success possible.

"Over the course of the last several years, Rwanda has reduced the number of children hospitalized due to malaria by more than 60 percent. Through action and partnership, Rwanda has shown that success is truly achievable against malaria," said Dr. Corine Karema, Director of Rwanda's National Malaria Control Program (through TRACPLUS). "We have proven in Rwanda that we can dramatically increase the number of lives saved through funding and implementing programs in malarial countries. Now, we must recognize the opportunity facing not just Rwanda, but the world: for the first time in the history of this disease, we have an opportunity to eliminate the burden of malaria to a point where it is no longer considered a major public health problem. We must keep up the fight to ensure that this promise can become a reality."