SC Johnson Partners Society For Family Health Rwanda, Rwanda Ministry Of Health  To Build  Africa’s Healthcare Network

By Wallace Mawire

   SC Johnson, makers of Raid®, in partnership with the Society for Family Health Rwanda and the Rwanda Ministry of Health are working together to build up Africa’s healthcare network,according to SC Johnson.

 According to SC Johnson, known as Closer to Care, the initiative has led to 76 health posts built in some of the most remote parts of Rwanda to help diagnose, treat and prevent malaria.

   According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), African countries collectively allocate billions of dollars annually towards malaria control efforts. For instance, in 2020, the estimated total funding for malaria control in Africa amounted to approximately $2.8 billion. This significant investment underscores the recognition by governments of the urgent need to address malaria as a public health priority and the importance of sustained financial support to achieve meaningful progress.

  However, it is reported that  despite the substantial budget allocations, challenges persist in ensuring optimal utilization and efficiency of resources for malaria control across the continent.

 It is said that limited funding capacity, competing health priorities and systemic barriers often hinder the full realization of the intended impact of healthcare expenditure on malaria outcomes.

   According to the organizations,malaria can turn deadly in just 24 hours after symptoms appear if left untreated, but four  in five Rwandans live miles away from healthcare.

'So, real time population data is used to pinpoint where people need care most when building health posts,' SC Jphnson said.  

  On impact of health posts, it is said by the orgainzations that care has been provided for 1 million+ people and contributed to an 89% reduction in malaria mortality rates within the last 5 years.

 It is added that the health care posts have also brought down the average walk-time to get to care from 3 hours to 30 minutes.

  However,it is said that more needs to be done.

The organizations says that  for this reason  SC Johnson would like to shed more light on critical issues that all partners need to consider when tackling the prevalent disease.

  They say that the significant role of the global climate change crisis in the surge of malaria cases have been  observed in health facilities across high-endemic regions in Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda.

 On the role of role of the  Public Private Partnerships in scaling malaria control efforts,it is said that guiding principles for prioritizing interventions in resource-constrained settings to achieve maximum impact include reorienting health systems towards primary health care which is considered the most inclusive, equitable and cost-effective way to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

  On some of the competing health priorities and systematic barriers that hinder the full realization of the intended impact of healthcare expenditure on malaria outcomes,the organisation says that malaria is one of the most significant health concerns in Rwanda.

 They sayd that it has made a notable economic impact on the country as it can lead to missed work or school, increased healthcare costs and decreased productivity.

 They add that this presents even more of a challenge and economic burden on lower-income families and communities.

  It is said that there  have been competing health priorities of other communicable diseases over the past few years.

  They add that progress continues to be made in the effort to control malaria over the past few years.

 'However, much work still needs to be done to make sure vulnerable populations have access to the proper prevention and treatment options. The SC Johnson Closer to Care initiative is one initiative that has helped in building up Africa's healthcare network to take down malaria,' SC Johnson said.

 On whether  SC Johnson have any plans of scaling up the Closer to Care initiative to other African countries apart from Rwanda,they sayd that SC Johnson, the makers of Raid ®, has been working for more than 75 years to help protect families from insect-borne disease and is always looking for new ways to scale its work as part of its wider efforts of helping to address public health challenges for families and communities around the world.

 On where else  the Closer to Care initiative been implemented and what has been the outcome,   SC Johnson, the makers of Raid ®, said that they have partnered with the South Sudan Ministry of Health as well as the Indonesia Ministry of Health and The Sumba Foundation to introduce health posts in both of their respective countries as part its Closer to Care initiative.

 They add that the health posts in South Sudan and Indonesia provide access to basic health care for approximately 25,000 people annually in each country, with the South Sudan health post marking the first health clinic constructed in the entire country.