On the sidelines of the 2024 Francophonie Summit in Paris, Rwandan President Paul Kagame held a key meeting with Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). The discussion focused on Rwanda’s ongoing efforts to track and contain the Marburg virus outbreak, as well as future collaborations to strengthen disease control and prevention mechanisms in the country.
The meeting comes as Rwanda continues to respond to its first-ever outbreak of the Marburg virus, which was first detected in September 2024. President Kagame and Dr. Tedros commended the close partnership between Rwanda and the WHO, which has been pivotal in the swift containment measures that have so far limited the spread of the virus.
Rwanda’s Effective Response to Marburg Virus
Rwanda’s government, in collaboration with the WHO, has been implementing a comprehensive response plan to combat the Marburg virus, which includes rigorous tracking of contacts, widespread testing, and the use of isolation and treatment centers. This partnership has been instrumental in identifying and managing the outbreak, with 41 confirmed cases as of October 4. Rwanda’s Health Ministry has also benefited from WHO technical support in areas such as surveillance, risk communication, and community engagement.
Dr. Tedros lauded Rwanda for its swift action, highlighting the country’s efficient health system and strong leadership in navigating public health emergencies. Rwanda’s proactive measures, including the authorization for the emergency use of the antiviral drug remdesivir, are seen as critical steps in controlling the spread of the virus.
Strengthening Future Disease Prevention
Beyond the immediate response to Marburg, President Kagame and Dr. Tedros discussed ways to strengthen Rwanda’s capacity for long-term disease control and prevention. With lessons learned from past health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Rwanda aims to build a more resilient health infrastructure. Key areas of discussion included improving early detection systems, enhancing public health research, and expanding vaccination programs to prevent future outbreaks.
The Francophonie Summit, which brought together leaders from across French-speaking nations, provided a timely platform for this high-level discussion, emphasizing the global nature of health security and the importance of international cooperation in disease management.
As Rwanda continues its fight against the Marburg virus, the meeting between President Kagame and Dr. Tedros reaffirms the strong collaboration between Rwanda and the WHO. Both leaders expressed optimism about the continued success of these efforts and the potential for even greater health advancements in the future.
