I wish to congratulate the Authorities of Rwanda, by way of the Ministry of Well being, particularly you Minister of Well being, for the distinctive management in successfully containing the very first Marburg virus illness outbreak in Rwanda. Your decisive actions, unwavering dedication, and fast response have been instrumental in stopping widespread damaging affect and safeguarding lives. This exceptional achievement underscores Rwanda’s robust well being system, resilience and dedication to defending public well being.
Immediately, we collect to mark this milestone — the official declaration of the top of the Marburg outbreak in Rwanda. It’s a testomony to the spirit of the Rwandan folks, the energy of the nation management, the bravery of its healthcare staff, and the transformative energy of collaboration and partnership.
Throughout the outbreak, WHO deployed roughly 20 of the world’s main specialists on filoviruses (Ebola and Marburg) on a rotating foundation from regional and headquarters ranges, alongside your complete nation workplace crew. Moreover, WHO mobilized 39 well being specialists from the AVoHC-SURGE cohort hailing from Uganda, Liberia and Sierra Leone. This marked the most important deployment of first responders ever. This effort was in response to a request from you Honourable Minister to deal with gaps in intensive care models and emergency care, because the outbreak severely impacted well being staff. This deployment demonstrated the solidarity amongst member states within the area. I wish to take this chance to increase our gratitude to the Invoice & Melinda Gates Basis and the UK International, Commonwealth and Improvement Workplace (FCDO) for funding the AVoHC-SURGE initiative, an funding that’s bearing outcomes.
We have now been honoured as WHO to have been in a position to work very carefully with a variety of companions to assist authorities on this response. As companions, we have been in a position to coordinate ourselves, underneath authorities management, and successfully and effectively reply to nationwide wants. Collectively, we elevated our partnership, strengthening our shared dedication to well being safety in supporting the federal government of Rwanda. I wish to thank the US Authorities, the European Union and the British Authorities for funding assist to WHO within the response. I might additionally prefer to thank fellow UN companies, Africa CDC, along with the Governments of Liberia, Uganda, and Sierra Leone, the World Outbreak Alert and Response community (GOARN) collaborators, bilateral companions, multilateral companions, worldwide NGOs, and all different companions and people who contributed to this effort.
On behalf of WHO and all improvement companions, we’re proud to have labored hand-in-hand with the Authorities of Rwanda and contributed to the achievement of this exceptional milestone within the Marburg outbreak response. By way of decisive case administration and a complete technique, lack of life was considerably diminished, and group transmission was stopped. With case fatality charges (CFR) for Marburg outbreaks the world over identified to vary from 24% to 88%, Rwanda’s 22.7% CFR has set a brand new regional benchmark for managing filovirus outbreaks.
The outbreak underscored the necessity to strengthen Worldwide Well being Rules (IHR) capacities, that are basic to constructing strong well being programs able to responding successfully to future public well being threats. WHO stays dedicated to proceed partnering with the Authorities of Rwanda to boost these capacities, guaranteeing the nation is well-prepared for any rising challenges. Moreover, the outbreak highlighted the significance of the One Well being strategy, which acknowledges the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental well being. By integrating efforts throughout sectors, we will extra effectively forestall, detect, and reply to well being threats. One Well being isn’t just a strategic framework; it’s an important strategy in a world the place well being threats know no boundaries.
We stay up for the after-action overview that’s being deliberate by Ministry of Well being with WHO and different companions that may doc the response and the teachings learnt, together with the significance of preparedness and early detection.
To the well being staff, group leaders, and all those that contributed, we categorical our deepest gratitude. Your dedication, resilience, and braveness have been the spine of this response. To colleagues who made the final word sacrifice, your bravery and selflessness won’t ever be forgotten. Your legacy lives on within the lives saved and within the stronger well being system we’re constructing collectively. You’re the true heroes, and your spirit will proceed to information us ahead.
As we shut this chapter and look forward, might the vacation season carry you pleasure, peace, and the remainder wanted to recharge. As we rejoice, allow us to enter the brand new yr with renewed hope, energy, and a unified resolve to constructing a more healthy, safer world for all.