"Before, I felt a bit helpless in the face of the malaria situation in my area. I was just referring people suffering from malaria to the health facilities. But now, I feel more useful for my community because I can do a consultation, test people with fever and take care of the positive malaria cases. Each day, I can see between 15 and 20 patients. And sometimes, for some, I go to see them at their home to follow up." Géneviève starts. She’s a Community Health Worker from Muyinga province, Giteranyi district in Burundi.
Malaria is prevalent and dangerous in her community. Over 44 percent of all patients seeking out medical help suffer from malaria. Since the USAID-funded Tubiteho (“Let’s Take Care of Them”) activity helped train community health workers like Genevieve, things are changing for the better. And the community feels the positive impact of these dedicated and passionate heroes who save lives.
"Without Geneviève's intervention, I am not sure I would still be alive. With my disability, I could not go anywhere to seek treatment. My son went to get the health worker, Géneviève. She came to my home, took a blood test and gave me some medicine. At first, I thought this service would be very expensive, but then she reassured me that I would not spend any money. I couldn't believe my ears. It was all free. A few days later, I was cured. She even stopped later to check on me. I am very grateful to her." says Amelie from Nonywe.
For Thomas, a native of Nonywe, it is a godsend to see Géneviève offering malaria treatment service in her home. "Géneviève has already treated me and my grandchildren. That day, I had a fever. I had heard about her and the role she plays in the community. I went to see her, we talked for a few minutes, and she drew my blood and gave me some medication. She took the time to explain to me how I should take it and asked me to take that first dose in front of her. A few days later, my grandchildren showed the same signs as I did, and I immediately advised their father to take them to see Géneviève. She treated them well, and in less than two days they were strong again and able to play. The service is offered free of charge.”
Early diagnosis and treatment of malaria in community health centers is crucial. By training the community health workers to test and treat malaria, we bring that life-saving service closer to the people who need it. Thanks to this USAID-funded activity, people suffering from malaria are able to test and receive treatment within 24 hours.
Malaria remains one of the main national health priorities in Burundi, with 528 persons in 1.000 infected by malaria in 2022. That is why USAID remains committed to supporting the fight against malaria globally and in Burundi. Thanks to the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative, or PMI, USAID is able to provide insecticide treated mosquito nets, malaria tests and medication, training for community health workers, among other important steps that lead to the ultimate goal of control of the disease.
About PMI: The U.S. President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) supports 24 partner countries in sub-Saharan Africa and 3 programs across the Greater Mekong Sub-region in Southeast Asia to control and eliminate malaria. Led by USAID and implemented together with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), PMI delivers cost-effective, lifesaving malaria interventions—such as insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying, and essential medicines—and invests in health workers and health systems to accelerate the global fight against this deadly disease. Thanks to the generosity of the American people, PMI benefits more than 700 million people each year.
