Launching The President's Malaria Initiative In Rwanda
The IntraHealth-led Twubakane Program participated in the Rwanda launch of the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) on December 7, 2006, at Byimana health center. Byimana is one of several sites where Twubakane has made considerable headway in addressing malaria among pregnant women and their children by assisting the country to procure and distribute life-saving malaria treatment medication. The launching ceremonies included the host of honor, Rwandan Secretary of State for AIDS and other epidemics, Dr Innocent Nyaruhirira; the Mayor of Ruhango, Francois Byabarumwanzi; Laura Hoemeke, IntraHealth's Chief of Party for Twubakane/Rwanda; WHO, USAID and CDC representatives; and the US Ambassador to Rwanda.
PMI is a US $1.2 billion, five-year project spanning 15 African countries. Its goal is to help African malaria programs cut malaria-related deaths via several prevention and treatment measures, including insecticide spraying, insecticide-treated mosquito nets, anti-malarial drugs and special preventative treatments for pregnant women.