At least 10,000 people are expected to be treated during the ongoing Army Week medical outreach in Bugesera District in Eastern Province.

Some 832 already benefited from the free treatment drive at the launch, yesterday, at Nyamata Hospital.

The weeklong drive is among the activities that Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) is conducting in different parts of the country in line with the 22nd Liberation Day celebrations due next week.

The free treatment drive was organised by Rwanda Military Hospital, Kanombe, in partnership with the RDF.

Presiding over the launch, Brig Gen Ephraim Rurangwa, the RDF First Division Commander, said the medical outreach has its particularities due to the high number of people to be treated within one week, adding that besides liberating the country, RDF will always work hard to ensure citizens’ wellbeing.

"This activity is linked to the 22nd celebration of Liberation Day due July 4. Rwanda Defence Forces started treating members of the public shortly after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, with the majority targets being survivors who were scarred with physical wounds and disabilities as well as psychological wounds,” Gen Rurangwa said.

"The outreach activities are carried out during Army Week, but this week is more than that because we are preparing for the Liberation Day.”

Gen Rurangwa urged those who benefit from the outreach to spread the word to others so they can visit hospital to benefit from the drive.

Other activities to be conducted include supporting vulnerable people with livestock to boost their ability to generate income and live a self-reliant life, and providing shelters, among others, in different parts of the country.

Brig Gen Emmanuel Ndahiro, the Rwanda Military Hospital commandant, said improving wellbeing of citizens is the result of liberation.

"Citizens are the country’s most precious resource, they have to be cared for. We have organised this ‘week’ to help people suffering from various diseases. The problem is that there are some people who delay to seek medical attention which worsens their ailments,” Gen Ndahiro said.

"We will be serving all people and for special cases, patients will be referred to Rwanda Military Hospital. We should simultaneously celebrate Liberation and improved welfare, that’s why we are treating people.”

Dr Alfred Rutagengwa, the director of Nyamata Hospital, said they are short of manpower, which makes the Army Week outreach crucial.

Bugesera has a population of more than 400,000 people.

"We need medics of different specialties and we thank to RDF for treating people in the district,” Dr Rutangengwa said.

Emmanuel Nsanzumuhire, the Mayor of Bugesera District, said such opportunities help advance medical services, adding that medics int he district will learn more as they will be working with visiting doctors as a team.

Beneficiaries speak

Rita Kagoyire, a Nyamata resident, described the activity as the fruits of good leadership of the country.

"I used to associate the army with guns and war. This activity is the act of love that our army has shown to us (citizens),” Kagoyire said.

Luth Mukamurara, who had surgery for abdomen and headache complications, said she started recognising the RDF’s love for the people since the country was liberated which helped her return home from exile.

She said it was gratifying to be treated by RDF soldiers, who rescued her and liberated the country.

The activity will be extended to other areas such as Rweru, Ngeruka, and Ririma health centres in Bugesera District.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw