KAYONZA – A team of Burundian AIDS experts have expressed commitment to working with their Rwandan counterparts in AIDS programs.

Félix Ntungumburanye, the Burundian National HIV/AIDS chairman, made the remarks on Wednesday, after visiting Rwinkwavu Hospital in Kayonza district.

"I am happy that we are getting exposure on advanced levels of handling HIV/AIDS patients. The social economic assistance given to patients has indeed taken me by surprise, and there is no doubt that I will pass it to my countrymen,” he said, stressing the importance of sharing experiences. 

He noted that Rwanda has gone far in handling HIV/AIDS patients compared to Burundi.

Adolophe Karamaga, the Director of Rwinkwavu Hospital observed that nationals of both countries could benefit a lot with information sharing on HIV/AIDS pandemic.

"Since we live in different environments we experience different challenges which necessitate learning from each other. We shall also be able to exchange skills and knowledge on the pandemic,” he said.

Briefing the visitors on the AIDS situation in Rwanda, Dr. Jean Bosco Ntiyonzima, the Director of HIV/AIDS at Rwinkwavu Hospital, noted that to address the issue of HIV/AIDS properly, you need to go beyond the clinical treatment.

"We address it as a social economic right of patients, where we provide them with nutritious foods and shelter. They need to get out of a state of hopelessness to see meaning in life,” he said.

It was also revealed that over 40 Burundians with HIV/AIDS living near the Rwandan border get antiretroviral (ARV) drugs at Kirehe Hospital.

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