Press Release

Indoor Residual Spraying Campaign to Combat Malaria in Rwanda.

Kigali, Rwanda (August 10, 2007) – The United States Embassy and the Rwandan Health Ministry today launched an Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) campaign in Mbandazi Cell, Rusororo Sector, Gasabo District.  IRS is an effective and proven intervention designed to protect people from Malaria, which is the leading cause of death and illness in Rwanda.

The IRS campaign will initially target 155,000 households in Gasabo, Kicukiro and Nyarugenge Districts in Kigali and will expand to five districts in January 2008.  IRS consists of well-planned and timely spraying of small amounts of insecticide to the interior walls and eves of houses. The insecticide interrupts the spread of malaria by killing mosquitoes as they rest on walls. Trained spray operators will be using ICON, a safe insecticide that remains effective for three to six months after it is applied.  In 2007, the U.S. Government is contributing US$4.6 million to IRS efforts in Rwanda.

IRS complements other malaria prevention interventions included in the PMI. The US$20 million per year initiative supports the Ministry of Health, specifically the National Malaria Control Program, in its efforts to reduce the burden of malaria in Rwanda. The PMI is an interagency initiative led by USAID in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The U.S. Government provides technical and financial assistance to Rwanda’s fight against malaria – a treatable and largely preventable disease.

The goal of the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative is to reduce malaria-related mortality by 50 percent by reaching 85 percent of the most vulnerable groups – pregnant women, children under five years of age and persons living with HIV/AIDS. In addition to the spraying of homes with insecticide, the PMI also provides lifesaving drugs, prevents malaria in pregnant women through intermittent preventive treatment and purchases and distributes long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets.

Speaking during the launch of the IRS campaign, U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda, Mr. Michael Arietti, noted “Indoor Residual Spraying is an important component of a comprehensive program to combat Malaria. The U.S. Government is pleased to be a partner with the Government of Rwanda in tackling this largely preventable disease.  Working together, we have the opportunity to improve the living conditions of ordinary Rwandans and to prevent thousands of unnecessary illnesses and deaths.”

The launch was attended by representatives from the Government of Rwanda, U.S. Government officials and members of the Research Triangle Institute (RTI), the campaign’s implementing partner.