Rwanda gets closer to having an AIDS-free generation

[murutongore]

10 December 2015

In 2014 in Rwanda, more than 95% of pregnant women living with HIV had access to antiretroviral medicines to prevent the transmission of HIV from mother to child. As a result, the country had fewer than 500 new infections among children last year, paving the way to achieving an AIDS-free generation. The incidence rate for HIV is estimated to be a stable and low 0.11%.

During a visit to Rwanda on 9 and 10 December, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé celebrated the country’s achievements and praised President Paul Kagame on his government’s leadership in the continental AIDS response.

Mr Sidibé called on Rwanda to sustain the gains made in health and development and urged the country to keep moving towards sustainable financing for health and HIV.

He also met with the Minister of Health, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the First Lady and civil society organizations. Mr Sidibé stressed the major role that civil society has to play in advocating for those being left behind in the AIDS response and in pushing for social justice and transformation. Civil society representatives highlighted that access to services for all, including key populations, has been ensured in Rwanda, although stigma and discrimination remain a challenge.

The importance of meaningful community engagement for health and development was further demonstrated during a visit to the Millennium Village Project in Mayange, 40 kilometres south of the capital. It is one of 14 clusters of Millennium Villages that operate across sub-Saharan Africa, serving the poorest and most remote communities in the region. Mayange has three health facilities: a health centre and two health posts.

Mr Sidibé visited the Mayange health centre, which uses an integrated approach to prevent new HIV infections and promote sexual and reproductive health services and family planning. No babies have been born with HIV in the Mayange health centre since 2013, showing that the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV is within reach in Rwanda. Mr Sidibé congratulated the health centre and the local leaders, adding that change is possible with leadership, commitment and passion.

Mr Sidibé also participated in the signing ceremony of the Paris Declaration to Fast-Track the HIV response in cities, which took place at Kigali City Hall on 10 December. The Mayor of Kigali, Fidele Ndayisaba, committed to accelerate the response in the capital and to lead, guide and support other urban areas in doing so. The cities initiative will help translate commitments to Fast-Track the HIV response into targeted actions and rapid results through a focus on location and population.

Quotes
“I congratulate the President of Rwanda on his leadership and on championing a people-centred approach to health and development for everyone in Rwanda. Rwanda is on the Fast-Track to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.”

Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director

“On our journey towards an HIV-free generation, we use evidence for a results-oriented approach and we bring services to those who are most in need. Rwanda is committed to accelerating the response to end AIDS.”

Agnes Binagwaho, Minister of Health, Rwanda

“AIDS is everyone’s business. It is everyone’s responsibility to act to end AIDS by 2030. The signing of the Paris Declaration is not just a ceremony, it is a signature for action, and we are all invited to take action.”

Fidele Ndayisaba, Mayor of Kigali, Rwanda

“As local leaders, we are committed to sustain the achievements and achieve more through cooperation, involvement and participation. When we have hope for the future, we invest in the future. Ending AIDS is possible; we have demonstrated it here.”

Louis Rwagaju, Mayor of Bugesera District, Rwanda

 

[Prof]

Well done Rwanda, but i guess that is practically impossible. i don't want to mock any significant effort done by whoever...BUT, having free-AIDS generation is something beyond the limit....!! Hopeful they mean what they say...God bless

 

[murutongore]

Well done Rwanda, but i guess that is practically impossible. i don't want to mock any significant effort done by whoever...BUT, having free-AIDS generation is something beyond the limit....!! Hopeful they mean what they say...God bless

@PROF....nothing is impossible when you have leadership that is capable. Rwanda speed ni 120. Hakuna kulegeza hata siku moja. Uongozi wa Kagame ndio unaodhihirishia watu kuwa penye nia pana njia na ndio maana wanyarwanda wanataka aendelee kuongoza. He is only 59yrs younger. Bado anahitajika. Mwananchi gani wa kipato cha chini ambae anaweza kupinga maendeleo anayoyapata chini ya uongozi wa Kagame? Hakuna.

 

[BabuK]

Let us learn from them. Draw lessons from Uganda and identify why it made a comeback to enable Tanzania and Africa eradicate this pandemic.

 

[DIUNATION]

Duh! Kagame ni balaa.

 

[KAFA.cOm]

@Deception and @povery eliminator je watafanikiwa hawa waruanda?

 

[UncleBen]

Ungeniambia Sudan kidogo ningeeelwa ,Rwanda hao watoto wazuri watasalimika vipi ??

 

[einstein newton]

That's real Rwanda or Hypothetical one?
Personally,I share Prof Point of view

HIV-free Generation especially in African countries can be possible Theoretically,but in practical,it's quite Impossible
Unless Rwanda would be Absolute-isolated From her neighbors

 

[murutongore]

That's real Rwanda or Hypothetical one?
Personally,I share Prof Point of view

HIV-free Generation especially in African countries can be possible Theoretically,but in practical,it's quite Impossible
Unless Rwanda would be Absolute-isolated From her neighbors

Kwa sababu umezoea ahadi za viongozi ambazo hazitekelezeki ndio maana huamini. Everything is possible when people work with the government. Tanzania ikiitikia wito wa Magufuli wa usafi kila mwezi utakuja kusikia kipindupindu kinatokomezwa.

 

[einstein newton]

Kwa sababu umezoea ahadi za viongozi ambazo hazitekelezeki ndio maana huamini. Everything is possible when people work with the government. Tanzania ikiitikia wito wa Magufuli wa usafi kila mwezi utakuja kusikia kipindupindu kinatokomezwa.

Kipindupindu Hakizuiliwi kwa kufanya usafi Barabarani tu.
Kitu Ambacho wewe Hukielewi ni kwamba,watu sio Fixed kama Miti,Bali wanamigrate kila siku

Mtu A ambaye ni HIV- anaweza kutoka rwanda na kwenda TZ,na akarudi akiwa HIV+.
Point yangu ni kwamba,hamuwezi kutengeneza HIV-Free generation kama Bado kuna Muingiliano wa watu.

 

[MK254]

Kipindupindu Hakizuiliwi kwa kufanya usafi Barabarani tu.
Kitu Ambacho wewe Hukielewi ni kwamba,watu sio Fixed kama Miti,Bali wanamigrate kila siku

Mtu A ambaye ni HIV- anaweza kutoka rwanda na kwenda TZ,na akarudi akiwa HIV+.
Point yangu ni kwamba,hamuwezi kutengeneza HIV-Free generation kama Bado kuna Muingiliano wa watu.

Take chill pill buddy, not a bad idea to aim higher. Why do you people get so worked up whenever the name Rwanda is mentioned anywhere. Just a tiny country trying so hard.

 

[Prof]

Take chill pill buddy, not a bad idea to aim higher. Why do you people get so worked up whenever the name Rwanda is mentioned anywhere. Just a tiny country trying so hard.

MK254, as you said-it is not bad idea to aim higher, off course no offenses with that....!! BUT get it in your mind, it is not about Rwanda being mentioned here, it is about the hypocrisy, propaganda and psychophony kind of syndrome!! just like what kenyan do....!! I know East Africa better, but i dont accept exaggeration of any form..

 

[Lancashire]

@PROF....nothing is impossible when you have leadership that is capable. Rwanda speed ni 120. Hakuna kulegeza hata siku moja. Uongozi wa Kagame ndio unaodhihirishia watu kuwa penye nia pana njia na ndio maana wanyarwanda wanataka aendelee kuongoza. He is only 59yrs younger. Bado anahitajika. Mwananchi gani wa kipato cha chini ambae anaweza kupinga maendeleo anayoyapata chini ya uongozi wa Kagame? Hakuna.

Uongozi hauapply chini ya kitovu.kwani Kagame ndo anawashikia paja?

 

[Prof]

@PROF....nothing is impossible when you have leadership that is capable. Rwanda speed ni 120. Hakuna kulegeza hata siku moja. Uongozi wa Kagame ndio unaodhihirishia watu kuwa penye nia pana njia na ndio maana wanyarwanda wanataka aendelee kuongoza. He is only 59yrs younger. Bado anahitajika. Mwananchi gani wa kipato cha chini ambae anaweza kupinga maendeleo anayoyapata chini ya uongozi wa Kagame? Hakuna.

Murutongore, just be realistic...na muache uwongo (lies) kwa kuwa you cant reach far. i absolutely concur with Einstein Newton, point of view about the impossibility of achieving AIDS-free generation particularly in Africa. tutajie nchi yoyote ambayo ni AIDS-free generation? unless kama Rwanda na watu wake wanaishi sayari tofauti na hii tunayoishi.....

 

[Konda wa bodaboda]

Habari inasema kwamba kwa mwaka 2014, zaidi ya asilimia 95% ya wanawake wajawazito wanaishi na VVU. Hapo inaonesha kwamba maambukizi ya VVU nchini rwanda ni makubwa kupindukia, maana habari inasema "… zaidi ya asilimia 95%" hapo unaweza kuta ni asilimia 98 au 99 kabisa ya wanawake wajawazito wenye VVU.

 

[murutongore]

Murutongore, just be realistic...na muache uwongo (lies) kwa kuwa you cant reach far. i absolutely concur with Einstein Newton, point of view about the impossibility of achieving AIDS-free generation particularly in Africa. tutajie nchi yoyote ambayo ni AIDS-free generation? unless kama Rwanda na watu wake wanaishi sayari tofauti na hii tunayoishi.....

@Prof...hii taarifa imeandikwa na UNAIDS sio serikali ya Rwanda. Do you question UNAIDS report?

 

[murutongore]

Habari inasema kwamba kwa mwaka 2014, zaidi ya asilimia 95% ya wanawake wajawazito wanaishi na VVU. Hapo inaonesha kwamba maambukizi ya VVU nchini rwanda ni makubwa kupindukia, maana habari inasema "… zaidi ya asilimia 95%" hapo unaweza kuta ni asilimia 98 au 99 kabisa ya wanawake wajawazito wenye VVU.

Usiwe mvivu wa kusoma...it says 95% of pregnant women living with HIV had anti-retroviral drugs....asilimia 95 ya akina mama wajawazito wenye VVU walipata dawa za kurufusha maisha....

 

[Baba Ziro]

Congratulations Mr President Kagame

 

[MK254]

Usiwe mvivu wa kusoma...it says 95% of pregnant women living with HIV had anti-retroviral drugs....asilimia 95 ya akina mama wajawazito wenye VVU walipata dawa za kurufusha maisha....

Hapo umemweka sawa huyo, hawa ndugu zetu Kingereza kiliwakataa, na ndio maana unaona wengi hukurupuka kwa ubishi usio kuwa na mantiki kwenye mada kama hizi.

 

[MK254]

MK254, as you said-it is not bad idea to aim higher, off course no offenses with that....!! BUT get it in your mind, it is not about Rwanda being mentioned here, it is about the hypocrisy, propaganda and psychophony kind of syndrome!! just like what kenyan do....!! I know East Africa better, but i dont accept exaggeration of any form..

Yeah! but you want to insinuate that all these so called "hypocrisies and propaganda" are propagated by world reputable institutions such as UNAIDS, WHO,UNESCO,ILO,IMF,WB etc.
So far these institutions have nothing but praise for Rwanda. What special interest do they have on that tiny country that they will all go berserk and exaggerate its performance on various human development KPIs.