Around 3 billion people around the world, especially in low-income countries, cook indoors using polluting open fires or simple stoves fueled by kerosene, biomass, and coal, which produce indoor air pollution (IAP). According to WHO, the population of sub-Saharan Africa, South and East Asia and the Western Pacific experience the highest rates of health problems from exposure to indoor pollutants. According to the World Bank's sustainable energy database, only one-third of the Rwandan population have access to electricity.
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The recent outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in Rwanda, first reported in September 2024, marks the country’s initial encounter with this highly lethal hemorrhagic fever caused by the Marburg virus.
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The Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak in Rwanda marks a significant public health challenge, with 64 reported cases and a 23.4% case fatality rate as of October 2024. While the immediate focus remains on containment and clinical management, the mental health implications of the outbreak present an equally critical concern. This paper discusses the psychological toll of MVD in Rwanda, considering the country's historical trauma and existing mental health landscape. Rwanda's experience with the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and the COVID-19 pandemic underscores the vulnerability of populations with pre-existing mental health conditions and those exposed to compounding stressors during health crises.
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Conjunctivitis, a highly contagious eye condition, can significantly impact public health, especially in close-contact settings like schools. This study investigated a conjunctivitis attack at ECOSE Saint Kizito Musambira Boarding School in Rwanda.
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Hypertension remains a public health challenge in Rwanda, contributing to
preventable deaths from cardiovascular diseases. This report analyzes 2022-
2023 data to identify trends and propose actionable solutions. Analysis of
data revealed:
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Hypertension is an escalating public health challenge in Rwanda, now
contributing significantly to cardiovascular disease-related mortality.
This report looks at national data from 2023 to assess the magnitude and
distribution of hypertension-related deaths, focusing on age, gender, and
disparities among districts.
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Malaria continues to pose a public health threat to under-five children and
pregnant women in Rwanda, despite progress in reducing cases through
strategies like insecticide-treated nets and prompt treatment. This report
presents an analysis of malaria surveillance data from 2014 to 2024.
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Malaria control is a priority for the Ministry of Health in Rwanda, which
is implementing community interventions, including distribution of longlasting
insecticide nets (LLINs), indoor residual spraying (IRS), and early
diagnosis to control malaria. As the number of overall cases decreases, the
focus on special populations is key to further reducing the number of cases
and deaths. Special populations include children under five years, pregnant
women, and the elderly. This report uses surveillance and mortality data of
5 years (2018-2022) to identify priorities for interventions. Key findings are
presented below.
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Mental health in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in postconflict contexts like Rwanda, remains challenged by limited access to care and entrenched cultural stigma. This case study, drawn from community based psychosocial support sessions led by Umuhumurizamutima (trained community counselors)
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