Gasabo: Citizens are reminded the HIV&TB voluntary-testing is important

The local Non-Government Organisation, Community Socio-Economic Development Initiatives (CSDI), encourages the community, key and priority populations in particular, for voluntary testing for various diseases including AIDS and tuberculosis, so that those who are at risk of contamination can receive early care.

It is part of the campaign launched last week which had the theme “Let’s talk, link up with health services and move forward” supported by Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF). The event was held at Kabuye health center, Jabana sector in Gasabo district under the the program for reduction of HIV related stigma and discrimination through Self-Help Groups approach.

Rusanganwa Leon Pierre, the Legal Representative of CSDI, said that HIV related stigma and discrimination prevent people from HIV VCT, care and treatment and stopping daily business activities leading to serious illness and death.

“Regarding the HIV, we talk and telling them that they should get tested and know their status of life, because when you know your status, you can easily start medicine; but if you don’t know where you stand it is another issue. I would find that someone is contaminated and takes medicine early. If not, so the misunderstanding is the cause of poverty and it puts you in bad place of life. We increase the knowledge of both in the family and in the in key and general populations”, Rusanganwa said.

The target audience for this campaign was 50 people from 3 groups of women mostly living with HIV. These groups are doing a lot in sensitizing their peers and neighbors (families) to know their HIV status including other diseases and the involvement in programs like family planning and the use of new preventive technologies. CSDI has supported these groups to one million Rwandan francs (1,000,000Frw).

Nzaramba Alphonse, who lives in Cyeyeye village in Kamatamu cell, said that they have received the support and that together with others, it will bear fruit and will enable them to meeting their peers.

He said, “I received this support well because they thought about us, now I am going to join the group and work with my friends to produce results for the betterment of the whole community.”

Mukandenzi Bernadette who also lives in Cyeyere village in Kamatamu cell praised CSDI for the support and the messages they received about HIV, PMTCT and TB, saying that she is going to strongly encourage young people to participate in HIV voluntary testing and counseling.

He said, “I appreciate this donor for thinking that we could develop ourselves in thinking and healthy living, now we are going to join and develop ourselves. As young people we must raise awareness on behavior change, and people who are infected with HIV, avoid to isolate themselves and raise awareness to others to go to the nearest health centers for testing. If they find they are infected, will get counselling and take medicine.”

Mukaminega Jeannette, the Good Governance Officer in the Jabana sector, said that they are very grateful to CSDI as a good partner and that they will continue to closely monitor the health and well-being of these people.

“We appreciate CSDI and AHF as a good partner that have been royal with our families who were suffering from COVID-19 negative impacts, CSDI brought food and protective materials for them and now they have given support, and we hope that this support will help them be the beginning of savings (…), we will move together towards ending diseases in our own communities,” Mukaminega said.

Behind the various programs implemented by CSDI, it includes the fight against HIV/STIs. In this campaign, this organization has started another important program that focuses on the fight against tuberculosis.

Rene Anthere Rwanyange