Rwanda Military Hospital in collaboration with US Department of Defense and their partners on Monday launched an army medical camp for the youth undertaking vocational training and rehabilitation at Iwawa Rehabilitation and Vocational Skills Development Centre that is based on Iwawa Island in Rutsiro District.

The special medical outreach that will last one week will provide Voluntary Counseling and testing (VCT), Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision and Behavior Change Communication services to more than 1,900 former street children and drug addicts currently under rehabilitation at the centre.

In his opening remarks, the Commandant of Rwanda Military Hospital Col Dr Ben Karenzi urged the youth to remain vigilant for anything that could endanger their health.

"Male circumcision does not mean you are fully protected (against HIV). We wish you good health, protect your life, you are working force of our nation”, he said.

Research has indicated that circumcision can reduce HIV risk in men by up to 60%.

Joseph Jackson, who represented the US Embassy in Rwanda at the function hailed the medical camp organised for the youth at Iwawa. He advised the youth to use the opportunity for positive behavioural change. He requested them to be exemplary among the youth after acquiring their training and rehabilitation.

The Coordinator of Iwawa Rehabilitation and Vocation Training Centre, Nicolas Niyongabo also thanked Rwanda Military Hospital and its partners for providing medical services to the centre.

He said that 815 people will benefit from male circumcision.

One of the medical service beneficiaries, David Mugisha former University Student in United Kingdom testified that he felt he had acquired a new lease of life after 11 months at the Iwawa Centre.

"I was addicted in heroin, marijuana, I used to pickpocket… I was terrible at the University. I thank the Government of Rwanda for this support,” he said.

The Special Army week medical outreach is conducted at Iwawa from 20 to 25 July 2015 in partnership with Society for Family Health, Drew Cares International and JHPIEGO, an international, non-profit health organisation affiliated with the Johns Hopkins University in the US.