A team of medical personnel from Kacyiru Police Hospital, on May 26, completed an HIV testing programme for the Rwanda National Police (RNP) officers and District Administrative Security Support Organ, (DASSO) personnel operating in Nyamagabe District. The exercise was conducted in the 12 sectors of Mushubi, Nkomane, Musebeya, Buruhukiro , Gatare, Tare, Kitabi, Uwinkingi, Mugano, Musange, Kaduha and Kibumbwe. According to Senior Supt. (SSP) Dr. Elisé Rwihimba, who headed the medical team, over 450 people were tested in the four-day exercise including police officers, DASSO personnel, as well as their families. "During the exercise, ample counseling was provided before and after the tests to those who freely desired to know their status and they were encouraged to come along with their families,” he said. "Security and maintaining law and order go beyond ordinary policing, to also help its personnel, community crime preventers and the general public, to understand their health status. RNP ensures to supplement ongoing government development programmes including in health, economic and social welfare,” SSP Rwihimba said. "We also conducted an awareness on how to protect oneself against contracting HIV/AIDS, including, abstaining from sex, being faithful to one partner or having protective sex." Officers also held discussions with residents and crime preventers on the prevention of diseases such as Ebola among others.. Officers also spared time to commend DASSO personnel for their work in fighting against crime and urged them to continue partnering with RNP and residents in overcoming crimes such as drug abuse, gender based violence, burglary and human trafficking. RNP currently runs a hospital - Kacyiru Police Hospital - and twelve health centres established across the country, geared towards supporting the country's health development.

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