What progress has Rwanda made against schistosomiasis?

Rwanda has reduced schistosomiasis prevalence to 2.4% among school-age children, with 95.7% of surveyed villages recording low infection levels.

Why is Rwanda focusing on water and sanitation in disease elimination?

Addressing root causes like lack of handwashing facilities and low community awareness is essential to prevent reinfection and achieve sustainable results.

Rwanda Expands Fight Against Neglected Diseases Beyond Medicine

Rwanda integrates water, sanitation, and community awareness into its strategy to eliminate neglected tropical diseases, targeting root causes of transmission.

Flat illustration of water sanitation facilities in Rwanda.

2026-08-13 · Updated 2026-08-13

Rwanda is intensifying its efforts to eliminate neglected tropical diseases by shifting focus beyond medical treatment to include clean water, sanitation, and community awareness. The strategy was discussed at the annual national stakeholders’ advocacy meeting on Neglected Tropical Diseases and WASH integration in Kigali.

Statistics show significant progress, with schistosomiasis prevalence reduced to 2.4% among school-age children and 95.7% of surveyed villages recording low infection levels. However, 1,013 administrative cells remain endemic, and a 2023 assessment found 60.5% of households in Bugesera and Ruhango districts had never heard of bilharzia, while 89.6% lacked handwashing facilities with soap and water.

Dr. Brian Chirombo, WHO Rwanda Country Representative, emphasized that lasting success requires addressing underlying transmission conditions, including safe water, improved sanitation, hygiene practices, and strong local systems. The WHO-NTD Roadmap and Rwanda’s National NTD Strategic Plan 2026–2030 advocate for coordinated, people-centered approaches.

Bob Gakire, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Local Government, stated the remaining challenge is operational, urging the use of existing government structures like village meetings and performance contracts to improve awareness and direct WASH investments to high-risk communities. Latest data identified 13 hotspot villages with schistosomiasis prevalence above 10%, though heavy infections have fallen below WHO elimination thresholds.

Soil-transmitted intestinal worms remain widespread at 38.7% prevalence, highlighting the need for prevention to carry equal weight as treatment. Nooliet Kabanyana, Executive Director of the Rwanda NGOs Forum on AIDS and Health Promotion, stressed that sustainable elimination depends on integration, financing, innovation, and accountability.

FAQ

What progress has Rwanda made against schistosomiasis?: Rwanda has reduced schistosomiasis prevalence to 2.4% among school-age children, with 95.7% of surveyed villages recording low infection levels.
Why is Rwanda focusing on water and sanitation in disease elimination?: Addressing root causes like lack of handwashing facilities and low community awareness is essential to prevent reinfection and achieve sustainable results.