Rwanda Launches New Malaria Treatments as Cases Surge Across the Country

The Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) has announced that the government will be introducing new malaria medications in response to a recent surge in the disease across various parts of the country. The move comes as existing treatments have proven less effective, with malaria increasingly resistant to the drugs that had been in use.

The new medications—dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHAP) and artesunate-pyronaridine (ASPY)—are both recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for treating uncomplicated malaria in both children and adults. The decision to switch medications stems from growing concerns that the previous treatment, Coartem, was no longer providing the desired results. This resistance to treatment has been observed not only in Rwanda but also in other countries.

Dr. Mbituyumuremyi Aimable, the head of RBC’s Malaria Control Program, explained that the new drugs will replace Coartem, which had been the go-to treatment for some time. According to Dr. Mbituyumuremyi, the first batch of the new treatments arrived in Rwanda last week and will soon be available in hospitals across the country, though they will only be prescribed by doctors when necessary.

“We plan to begin distributing the new medications starting January 6, 2024,” Dr. Mbituyumuremyi stated. “Doctors will be able to use them for patients who have already taken the first-line treatment but haven’t responded as expected.”

The decision to introduce new malaria treatments follows a series of factors that have led to a growing problem with malaria in the country. Dr. Mbituyumuremyi highlighted that the old medications had been in use for a long time without being replaced, leading to resistance. He also pointed out that the dosage often prescribed was incorrect, and in some cases, the malaria parasite had adapted to the medications, reducing their effectiveness.

While the new medications will be part of Rwanda’s long-term plan to combat malaria, a more comprehensive program to incorporate these treatments will officially begin in April 2025, alongside the continued use of Coartem.

In addition to new treatments, Dr. Mbituyumuremyi noted that Rwanda is enhancing its efforts to tackle malaria through training healthcare workers on the updated treatment protocols. Health centers and community health workers will also receive training to ensure the new medications are used properly.

According to the Ministry of Health, Rwanda has seen a significant reduction in malaria cases in recent years. From 2016/2017 to 2023/2024, malaria cases dropped by 90%, from 4.8 million to just 620,000. Similarly, the number of deaths from malaria decreased dramatically, from 650 to 67 during the same period.

However, there has been a sharp rise in malaria cases since September-October 2024. Cases surged by 45.8%, from 432,000 to 630,000, compared to the same period the year before. Experts attribute this increase to a combination of factors, including the growing resistance to old treatments, inadequate prevention measures, and changes in mosquito behavior. Mosquitoes are now more likely to bite people outside their homes, increasing the risk for those who spend time outdoors.

Additional challenges include poorly controlled mosquito breeding grounds, such as rice paddies, ponds used for farming, and gemstone mining sites. Furthermore, there has been a rise in malaria cases imported from neighboring countries, particularly in areas like Nyagatare, Gisagara, and Bugesera.

To further combat the spread of malaria, Rwanda is also implementing a range of initiatives, including spraying insecticides inside homes in districts like Nyagatare, Kirehe, Ngoma, Nyanza, Gisagara, Kamonyi, Bugesera, Rwamagana, and Kayonza, alongside other preventive measures.

As the country continues to fight against this persistent disease, the new medications, along with improved public health strategies, represent a crucial step in controlling malaria and preventing future outbreaks.