What We Do
Malaria is preventable. Every death from it is a failure of systems, not of fate.
200 → 13
80%+
4
Real time
The challenge
Malaria remains one of the world's most deadly and preventable diseases. An estimated 249 million cases were recorded in 2022, with Sub-Saharan Africa bearing over 94% of all cases and deaths. Children under five and pregnant women account for the majority of malaria-related deaths. Malaria continues to claim a life every two minutes.
Climate change, insecticide resistance and gaps in health system coverage are slowing progress — and in some regions reversing it. The tools to defeat malaria exist. What is needed is the sustained commitment to get them to every household that needs them.
Between 2005 and 2020, malaria-related deaths in Rwanda dropped by over 80% — driven by mass distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, expanded community-level diagnosis and treatment, and strong government leadership.
Yet malaria remains a leading cause of illness, particularly in high-burden districts including Kirehe, Ngoma, Kayonza and Bugesera. Seasonal transmission peaks, insecticide resistance and the challenge of reaching the last mile continue to threaten the gains made.
Our approach
SFH Rwanda's malaria programme is one of the most comprehensive and community-rooted malaria responses in Rwanda, combining prevention, diagnosis, treatment, research and social behaviour change across multiple districts and delivery channels.
Prevention that reaches every household
Bringing protection inside the home
SFH Rwanda coordinates and implements one of Rwanda's largest indoor residual spraying programmes — a proven and highly effective intervention that protects households from the inside out.
Prevention alone is not enough
When malaria strikes, communities need fast, accurate diagnosis and effective treatment without travelling hours to reach it.
Evidence-driven action for lasting change
Our impact
| Indicator | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Malaria cases — SC Johnson pilot | Reduced from 200 to 13 in Kamembe and Gihundwe sectors, Rusizi District |
| Indoor residual spraying | Large-scale operations across multiple high-burden districts in Rwanda |
| Net distribution | Thousands of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets distributed in high-burden areas |
| Community diagnosis & treatment | CHWs diagnosing and treating malaria at village level across supported districts |
| Digital surveillance | Individual-level case data captured in real time through CMR and EMR |
| Partnership reach | RBC, Ministry of Health, SC Johnson, district health teams and community structures |
Going forward
Malaria is preventable, and SFH Rwanda is committed to proving it — district by district, household by household. Going forward this programme will:
Expand indoor residual spraying to more high-burden districts in coordination with RBC and district health teams
Scale up the SC Johnson mosquito repellent shield model as a safe, community-friendly complementary tool
Strengthen digital malaria surveillance through CMR and EMR integration, enabling real-time case tracking and faster targeted response
Deepen social behaviour change programming to increase consistent net use and promote early care-seeking
Expand community-level diagnosis and treatment so every CHW in supported districts can treat uncomplicated malaria without a patient leaving their village
Continue malaria research, generating the evidence needed to stay ahead of insecticide and drug resistance
From the community
A community member in a high-burden district describes what it meant when indoor residual spraying came to her home for the first time — and what it means now to know her children sleep safely under a net every night.
