Rwandan media has been praised for the efforts portrayed within the last two years in the fight against the HIV/Aids pandemic.

Dr Agnes Binagwaho, the executive secretary for National Aids Control Commission (CNLS) said recently this at a one-day workshop on dissemination of information regarding HIV/Aids at St Francois d’Assise in Kicukiro.

The workshop was organized by ABASIRWA (Urugaga rwa ba nyamakura rurwanya SIDA mu Rwanda), an association of Rwandan journalists that fights against HIV/Aids.

The objective of the meeting was to equip journalists with basics in dissemination of information regarding prevention of HIV/Aids, and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of the virus during pregnancy.

Among the preventive measures that were passed on to the journalists included: abstinence, fidelity among married couples, and use of condoms.

However, condom use was downplayed by Jean Paul Kayihura, the Dean of the faculty of journalism at Kabgayi University and Chairman of Radio Maria Rwanda.

He said, "Condom use is not a hundred per cent a secure means in the fight against AIDS.”

It was also emphasized that expectant mothers take medical check-ups every three months to know their HIV status and that of their foetus. While closing the workshop, the executive secretary for CNLS, Dr Agnes Binagwaho reiterated, saying the media’s commitment towards fighting HIV/Aids is paramount.

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