At least 160 Genocide survivors with various ailments in Nyamasheke District received free medical treatment at Kibogora Hospital last week. This was part of events to pay respect to former health workers who were killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in the district. Skin, respiratory, eye, and chronic headache were among the ailments which were treated. Up to 30 known former health workers were killed from Kibogora Hospital and neighboUring health centres, including Nyamasheke, Kibingo, Karengera and Ihanika. The free treatment was organised by Kibogora Hospital staff in partnership with neighbouring health centres in the district. The activities were concluded with a visit to Kibogora Memorial Centre and donation of material support worth Rwf30 million to vulnerable Genocide survivors in the area on Saturday. Speaking to journalists earlier on Friday, Dr Damien Nsabimana, the director of Kibogora Hospital, stressed the need to care for Genocide survivors, fight Genocide denial and trivialisation. “Caring for Genocide survivors is not only government’s responsibility, we can all contribute in various ways. It is the reason we took this responsibility and every staff member contributed to this cause,” Dr Nsabimana said. He said survivors need assistance of various aspects, including love which they lost, moral support and counseling. “They lost property and their welfare need to be taken into account to move them out of poverty. The survivors also need healthcare support to heal the different ailments they contracted as a result of the Genocide,” he added. Marianna Uzamukunda, a survivor and one of the beneficiaries, commended the health workers for the treatment. “I had backache and chronic headache but I got free counseling and medical treatment,” she said. Samuel Muhire, another survivor, said, “We had different illnesses but we appreciate the way we were cared for and other assistance rendered to us.” Nyamasheke mayor Aimé Fabien Kamali commended the hospital management and staff for the good gesture. Ibuka president in the district JMV Bagirishya urged residents to foster unity and reconciliation while fighting Genocide denial. Kibogora Memorial Centre hosts remains of 3,896 victims. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
