The leadership of Gisagara District in Southern Rwanda says it has intensified malaria prevention efforts, particularly in sectors located near swamps, which are the most affected by the disease.
Gisagara is one of the districts in Rwanda with consistently high malaria prevalence. According to the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), in February 2025, the district ranked fourth nationwide with 6,145 recorded malaria cases.
Dusabe Denise, the Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs in Gisagara, emphasized the importance of educating the public as a core strategy. “One of our strongest measures is to teach the public because prevention is better than cure,” she said.
The awareness campaign is currently focused on six sectors adjacent to swamps, which are known breeding grounds for malaria-spreading mosquitoes.
RBC data from February 2025 shows that among the 25 most malaria-affected sectors nationwide, three are in Gisagara: Mamba (ranked 9th with 1,425 cases), Gishubi (10th with 1,341 cases), and Muganza (12th with 1,220 cases). These three alone account for more than half of all malaria cases across Gisagara’s 13 sectors.
Vice Mayor Dusabe noted that working with agricultural cooperatives has made it easier to conduct the campaign. “We have many cooperatives involved in maize and rice farming. We collaborate with them to help educate the public,” she said. These cooperatives also assist in improving housing conditions, which helps prevent mosquito entry and reduces the risk of malaria.
Local residents say they are applying what they’ve learned. Dusabimana Donata from Mukindo Sector said, “In the evening, we close the windows to keep mosquitoes out and ensure we sleep under treated mosquito nets.” Another resident, Karambizi Thomas, added, “I avoid areas with bushes and stagnant water and always sleep under a mosquito net properly.”
In addition to awareness campaigns, Gisagara District is taking other preventive measures. These include spraying insecticide in mosquito-prone areas, utilizing community health workers, and distributing mosquito nets. A recent distribution campaign, in partnership with the Rwanda Interfaith Council for Health (RICH), aims to provide 58,640 mosquito nets across the district.
To tackle the issue, authorities are implementing targeted measures in the most affected swamp-bordering sectors. Today, over 400,000 residents of Gisagara are being encouraged to participate in the “End Malaria” campaign, starting from the grassroots level.
Key measures taken to fight malaria:
Improved access to treatment: Community health workers now treat 54% of malaria patients, making care more accessible and preventing severe illness.
Mass mosquito net distribution: 58,640 nets have been distributed throughout the district.
Mosquito control and public awareness: Insecticides are sprayed in high-risk areas, and education is provided during community meetings to reduce mosquito breeding.
Role of community health workers
Community health workers play a pivotal role in the fight against malaria. Vice Mayor Dusabe acknowledged their contribution, saying: “Having 54% of patients treated by community health workers shows how close and accessible healthcare has become.” She also thanked RBC for the timely delivery of malaria medication to health centers and community workers.
A message to the public
Vice Mayor Dusabe urged residents to take part in the World Malaria Day commemorations on April 25, 2025, and to continue supporting efforts to eliminate malaria by preventing mosquito breeding and seeking prompt treatment when symptoms appear.
The campaign slogan, “Ending Malaria Starts With Me”, continues to be widely promoted across various platforms to foster community involvement in eradicating the disease.
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