VILLAGE URUGWIRO - The former Secretary for the United States Department of Health and Human services, Senator Tommy Thompson, has pledged to support Rwanda’s efforts in promoting the health welfare of Rwandans.

Thompson, a Global Ambassador for the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases, said that improvement in the health of a country’s population automatically leads to economic development.

"We base this on a survey conducted in Japan after the Second World War where the elimination of such tropical diseases there led to tremendous development,” said Thompson after his meeting with President Paul Kagame yesterday at Village Urugwiro.

He said that his delegation handed the findings of the survey to President Kagame during the meeting. He also acknowledged the personal efforts by President Kagame in reviving the health outlook of all Rwandans during the post-Genocidal era.

"We pledged to foster close cooperation between Rwandans and Americans in continuing to improve the heath of Rwandans by especially fighting these neglected tropical diseases,” he added.

The Minister of Health, Dr Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo who also attended the meeting, cited an example of such diseases as bilharzia and others mainly brought about by poor hygiene.

Ntawukuriryayo added that Thompson, who had last visited the country four years ago, will work together with Rwandan authorities to attract US investors and tourists to Rwanda.

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