Week in health

A week ago, a medical facility operated by Rwandan peacekeepers was inaugurated in the Central African Republic (CAR). The facility was launched by Parfait Onyanga, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The Level 2 UN Hospital was inaugurated in Bria, Sector East, in the CAR, according to a statement from RDF.Onyanga told the Rwandan contingent that the facility was a testimony of Rwanda’s commitment to promote the cause of peace in the CAR and the world in its noble mission of protecting vulnerable people, and caring for its own staff. Lt Col Dr King Kayondo, the commanding officer of Rwanda Level 2 Hospital MINUSCA, described the facility as an advanced hospital, providing care and treatment to the UN civilian and military staff. The hospital comprises specialised services in internal medicine, general surgery, orthopedic surgery, dentistry, psychology, physiotherapy, gynecology and obstetrics. The hospital also features a modern laboratory and imaging Meanwhile, experts have warned that cancer will by 2030 leapfrog HIV, tuberculosis and other diseases by 70 per cent to become the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Therefore according to Dr Emmanuel Rudakemwa, the director of medical imaging services at King Faisal Hospital, the Breast Cancer Awareness Month should also be used as an opportunity to remember and test for other types of cancer. He said although there is still more to be done, the responsibility should not solely be left to government, advising that everyone should play a role in raising awareness since prevention is better than cure. Regarding nutrition, the Chairperson of the National Women Council, Beatrice Mukasine, said a lot was needed to tackle malnutrition in communities starting with people’s mindset. She explained that the public must understand what the right and important food for good health should be and if cleanliness is added to this, malnutrition in our communities will be history. According to the Rwanda Integrated Household Conditions Survey 2013/14 report released in September, of 24 per cent of children under five, 9 per cent have problems of growth, 17 per cent have problems with hygiene while 2 per cent have a malnutrition problem. In other developments, police are holding directors and finance managers of Nyagatare, Rubavu and Rulindo district hospitals over allegations of embezzlement. These arrests follow an audit exercise that was carried out in all hospitals this month, which revealed missing funds, according to sources. The embezzled funds, whose figure has not been made public, were part of a project run by the Ministry of Health to fight malnutrition in communities. Chief Superintendent of Police Celestin Twahirwa, the spokesperson of Police, who confirmed the arrests, said that the suspects were being held at various police stations.