The African Evangelical Enterprise (AEE) Rwanda, a local nongovernmental organisation, has stepped up efforts to scale up access to HIV testing, counselling and treatment with a one-month campaign expected to cover 8,000 families in Gatsibo District.

Speaking to The New Times, last week, Emile Munyandinda, the AEE coordinator in the area, said they have been combining expertise and capacity to support the initiative and develop a community model for scaling up access to HIV testing.

The programme will cover Kizuguro, Kiramuruzi, Murambi, Gasange, Rugarama and Remera sectors and officials said they are reaching out to the household level.

Munyandinda said the the HIV testing services and treatment outreach was being organised under a programme dubbed, "Community allied against violence, HIV/AIDS and extreme poverty.”

"Our efforts seek to deliver HIV testing to thousands of people, including some of the most marginalised people in hard-to-reach communities. Voluntary and confidential HIV testing is central to increasing demand for HIV testing and treatment services,” he said.

"We have been mobilising resources to ensure all people have equal access to HIV testing and treatment.”

Claudine Umutesi, a medical staffer involved in the activity, said people who were found to be HIV-positive are supported through prevention and care projects, adding that they are counselled to protect others from contracting the virus.

"People shouldn’t be surprised when we test even the elderly as HIV transmission is not only through sex, but can be contracted in several ways, including through blood exchange during accidents, body cuts, among others. The exercise is going on well and we will help those found HIV-positive to get antiretroviral drugs, while those who test negative will be educated on how to stay safe,” she said.

Gatsibo mayor Richard Gasana said the campaign was good for families.

"Special attention is paid to the most vulnerable persons, including children, pregnant women and people with disabilities. Those who test negative are also counselled on how to stay safe, encouraged to reduce risky behaviour and to become advocates of safe practices among their friends and family,” he said.

A recent HIV/AIDS Incidence Survey indicated that HIV prevalence in the country stands at 3 per cent but more women are at risk of contracting the virus compared to men as a result of gender-based violence.