The Ministry of Health yesterday took its campaign aimed at improving hygiene to taxi motorcyclists with a call to clean their helmets and clothes to prevent the spread of skin diseases.

In a meeting after the monthly community work, Umuganda, in Kimicanga village Kimihurura sector, the Minister of State in charge of Public and Primary Healthcare, Dr Anita Asiimwe, reminded the cyclists on the use of the helmet inner cover (akanozasuku) as one way of maintaining hygiene. 

"If a passenger does not bring a bonnet, cap or any other cloth to cover the head before wearing a helmet, ask them to buy ‘akanozasuku,’ Asiimwe said.The minister suggested that cyclists could start selling the protective material to their customers. The use of ‘akanozasuku,’ that was initiated by the ministry in 2012 recently failed with Police saying there were no proper laws to enforce it.

The minister told the motorcyclists to consider public hygiene and health as a very important issue because it affects not only them but also their customers. 

"The only way to live longer is to live a healthy life so as to achieve our dreams as a nation,” the minister said.

Motorcyclists were also urged to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS by using condoms where abstinence fails since as providers for their families, they are the power that moves the country forward. She also cautioned them against drug abuse.

The Vice Mayor of Kigali City for Economic Affairs, Alphonse Nizeyimana, and the Commissioner of Traffic Police, George Rumanzi attended the meeting.

The ministry is running a public hygiene campaign under the theme "A culture of hygiene for good health and sustainable development.”