Health sector honours Genocide victims

About 2000 staff from the Ministry of Health and the Rwanda Biomedical Center commemorated the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, which left over a million killed including some former employees of the health sector.

Sunday, April 15, 2012
Health Minister Dr. Agnes Binagwaho (C) with her staff lays a wreath at Kigali Genocide Memorial centre in respect of Genocide victims. The Sunday Times/ T. Kisambira.

About 2000 staff from the Ministry of Health and the Rwanda Biomedical Center commemorated the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, which left over a million killed including some former employees of the health sector.Employees of the ministry, on Thursday, visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre after participated in a march and vigil.The Minister of Health, Dr.Agnes Binagwaho, disapproved of the atrocities that were committed, stressing how it was regrettable that some of the people in the medical profession, meant to save lives, instead took part in the killings during the Genocide.She stressed the sector’s support towards assisting survivors and commended the development partners for taking part in the commemoration events."As we mourn year after year, we remember our history and the emotion that comes with it makes us more determined to advance progress and rebuild the nation. The health sector is a family and we are glad to be able to share these moments with families of our former collegues,” the minister said.According to a statement from the Ministry of Health, two former employees of the Ministry of Health are survivors of the Genocide.The survivors, Epiphanie Karangwayire and Stanislus Simugomwa joined the Ministry during commemoration and recounted their touching stories.The other survivor, Simugomwa noted that when he recalls the horrifying moments of the Genocide, he is grateful seing for how the nation has developed.