More children access Aids drugs, says minister

GASABO - More HIV/Aids orphans and other vulnerable children in the country now have access to Aids drugs, the Minister of Health, Dr Richard Sezibera, has said. He was speaking at a press conference called to brief journalists on the fourth annual Paediatric Conference on children infected and affected by HIV/ Aids. The conference was called by the National Aids Control Commission (CNLS). The conference under the theme “Equity in financing services for HIV infected and affected children” will be held at Prime Holdings, Kigali from November 19-21, 2008. It will attract over 300 delegates including decision makers, international researchers, development partners, experts and children. The conference, being sponsored by the UNICEF and other partners of the government of Rwanda, is expected to come up with concrete strategies of minimising the suffering of children due to Aids. Participants will particularly look at ways of achieving equity in financing services; which is seen as the biggest challenge to the implementation of projects meant for children infected and affected by HIV/Aids. Dr. Sezibera, explained that the government has taken important strides to tackle the Aids scourge by increasing voluntary counselling and testing for youth. According to the Minister, the number of youth testing for HIV has risen from less than 1 percent in 2000 to 12 percent in 2006. Dr. Anita Asimwe, the Executive Secretary of CNLS, explained that government has instituted more measures to control Aids. Among these, he said, is protecting children and the youth against contracting the virus, while promoting increased care and treatment for those infected. According to a statement from CNLS, three (3) out of 100 people in the country, live with HIV. The statement reads that few youths have enough knowledge about Aids prevention which calls for increased awareness campaigns. Over 20,000 children under the age of 14, are infected with the virus. And according to the statement, 90 percent of them contracted it from their mothers before, during or after birth. It is the fourth of its kind. A similar gathering took place in 2005 and 2007, and addressed issues of increasing children’s access to HIV/AIDS interventions. It was suggested that societies should ensure an integrated and harmonised family approach to child survival. Ends