Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ Rwanda is intensifying its battle against malaria resistance with the introduction of two new anti-malaria drugs, dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHAP) and artesunate-pyronaridine (ASPY). These medications, recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), form part of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) designed to treat uncomplicated malaria in both children and adults.
According to Dr. Aimable Mbituyumuremyi of the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), the new drugs will serve as alternatives to Coartem, the widely used medication that has faced resistance issues in some cases. The first shipment of these drugs recently arrived in Rwanda, with deployment to hospitals scheduled to begin this week. Doctors will prescribe the medications for patients who have not responded to initial treatments.
Malaria drugs are becoming less effective because people keep using them for too long without switching to different ones, or they are not given correctly, or they get infected with malaria parasites that are already resistant. To address this challenge, the country plans a nationwide rollout of the new drugs in April, alongside updated guidelines and extensive training for healthcare professionals at all levels.
The integration strategy aims to equip healthcare workers in hospitals, health centers, and community settings to prescribe these medications. Frontline healthcare providers, including community health workers, will receive full training to administer the drugs once additional batches become available.
Despite recording a 90% reduction in malaria cases between 2016 and 2024, Rwanda experienced a significant 45.8% surge in cases from January to October 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Drug resistance, inadequate vector control measures, and changing mosquito behavior, among other factors, have contributed to this rise.
To combat the resurgence, the government has deployed multiple interventions. These include indoor residual spraying in high-risk districts, hotspot investigations, and enhanced community engagement. A newly formed Malaria Task Force will coordinate efforts across various sectors, while expanded access to diagnosis and treatment aims to curb the disease’s impact at the community level.
Rwanda’s proactive approach, combining innovative treatments with integrated vector control strategies, underscores its commitment to defeating malaria. The deployment of new drugs marks a significant step toward maintaining progress and addressing emerging challenges in the fight against this deadly disease.
