The Rwanda National Police has paid medical insurance premiums for 500 vulnerable families in Karongi District as part of the force’s support to the development of the health sector and poverty eradication in the country.
The medical insurance cards were handed over to the beneficiaries on Monday in Karongi as the force launched the Police Week.
The week-long exercise is also part of the activities to mark the RNP 14th anniversary and to mark the 20th liberation celebrations.
Jeanne d’Arc Gakuba, the Vice President of the Senate presided over the official launch. She commended the partnership between Police and other institutions and the public especially in reinforcing security and safety in the country.
"A lot has been achieved in terms of security in the past 20 years and let’s continue to build on that to ensure sustainable security,” Gakuba said.
She lauded Police for its health development initiatives, including the establishment of Kacyiru Police Hospital, Isange One stop Centre and Rugabano health Centre in Karongi.
Isange, which operates under Kacyiru Police Hospital provides free medical, psycho-socio and legal services to gender violence victims and is being scaled-up to all district hospitals across the country.
The Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana thanked those who composed songs and poems which he said carry messages that enhance crime prevention like assault, theft and drug abuse.
"We are here today to celebrate the existing partnership between RNP and Karongi district in ensuring security and fighting crimes in general,” IGP Gasana said.
He also echoed the need to strengthen cooperation to fight those few security threats and report people involved.
During the event, Police awarded Indashyikirwa cultural group and Nyirimanzi Dieudonné with Rwf200, 000 each for composing the best song and poem respectively that promote the Police-public partnership.