GAKENKE – As part of the Army Week, Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) medics, Wednesday, completed the treatment of over 500 patients with dental and eye ailments in Gakenke District, Northern Province.

The four-day exercise was held at Nemba hospital. At least 37 patients received eye treatment.

Capt. Jean Bosco Karangwa, a dentist attached to Kanombe Military Hospital, who was part of the team, attributed the high rates of oral-facial diseases in the area to poor hygiene.

"Many patients come here when the level of their teeth damage is beyond treatment and we resort to tooth removal because there is a problem of general lack of constant care for the teeth,’’ Capt. Karangwa said.

He appealed to community health advisors to actively embark on sanitation and hygiene campaign to avoid such preventable diseases.

"Children should be trained to brush their teeth every day,’’ he said.

The uniformed personnel also constructed over 30 homes for poor families who have been living in grass thatched houses in the sectors of Coko, Minazi, Cyabingo.

Meanwhile, in Rulindo District, the soldiers are currently constructing a water channel, which will extend clean water to the Nyundo Primary School.

Speaking to the residents, the Sector Executive Secretary, Mado Umuhoza, called upon residents to get involved in activities aimed at improving their livelihoods.

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