EASTERN PROVINCE

RWAMAGANA — People living with HIV/AIDS in the districts of Rwamagana and Kayonza have welcomed a donation of mosquito nets, saying they would help prevent malaria.

Etienne Mugabo, the president of Jijuka, an association of people living with HIV in Kigabiro said malaria has been a big threat in the area.

"We are always prone to malaria, any small bite by mosquitoes we end up falling sick. We therefore thank Imbuto Foundation for donating to us these bed nets. They will help us to fight against malaria," Mugabo told The New Times last week, at Rwamagana Health Center, shortly after receiving the bed nets for 40 members of his association.

Mugabo further thanked the government for availing antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) and all possible assistance to HIV positive individuals.

"We used to think of death only, but now I have hope for the future. In 2005 before I started taking ARVs I weighed only 36 kilograms but now I weigh 52. I could not walk for a distance, but now days I feel strong. I ride my bicycle from Kayonza to Rwamagana (a distance of approximately 25 kilometers)," he revealed.

Mugabo calls on all people who do not know their HIV status to go for voluntary counseling and testing. He urges those who test positive to go for ARVs, saying it is the only way to prolong life.

He appeals to government and other well wishers to provide funds for support of the projects they have so far formed, so as to start working for development of themselves and the nation.

Charles Mugabe, the coordinator of Rwanda Network of People living with HIV/AIDS (RRP+) in Rwamagana and Kayonza, who delivered the items, said Imbuto Foundation, would continue caring for HIV-infected individuals countrywide.

He said Rwamagana alone has 1,923, while Kayonza has 2150 HIV positive individuals living in over 90 associations. They work with hospitals and health centers in their aid giving, he said.

He revealed that Imbuto Foundation also paid for the health insurance (Mutuelle de sante) for all the members.

Imbuto Foundation formerly known as Protection And Care of Families Against HIV/AIDS (PACFA) is an initiative of the First Lady Jeannette Kagame. Its mission is to contribute to national efforts for prevention and the care of youth, children and families infected and affected by HIV/Aids, through advocacy, social and resource mobilisation.

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