The government of Rwanda has been recognized for its best institutionalization and innovation in Malaria control, Maternal & Child Health programs.

The award was presented by African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) on February 18 on the sidelines of the 36th AU General Assembly.

ALMA provides Excellence and Innovation awards to countries that have significantly strengthened their country scorecards through public sharing, capacity building at the sub-national level to enhance data-driven decision-making, and empowering citizens to improve health services and outcomes. 

The Heads of States Alliance recognized Rwanda for its governance in Malaria Control and Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent health (RMNCAH).

“Rwanda has regularly taken innovative approaches to its scorecard use, including integrated malaria and NTDs scorecards and their Maternal and Child Health scorecard. The two scorecards are identified in the country’s strategic plan as key performance and management tools to track the progress of indicators”, read the statement of ALMA while issuing the award.

An independent committee selected most successful countries in different categories of advances in Malaria control in Africa and Rwanda received the best institutionalization award for using data tools for evidence generation/good performance (malaria incidence and mortality reduced by 85% in last 5 years in Rwanda).

The award was handed over to the Rwandan Minister of Health (Representing HE Paul Kagame, The President of Rwanda) by Guinnea Bissau president, Umaro Sissoco who is the current chair of ALMA.

Rwanda has taken key steps in advancing the accountability score in the key areas that have been recognized notably in Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases where a national Council for Malaria and NTDs has been set up, composed of leaders from across government, the private sector, and communities and will be charged with advocating for malaria and NTDs to remain high on the national agenda and to mobilise action and resources to fight these diseases from across all sectors and at the community-level.