Official calls for universal access to Aids treatment

NORTHERN PROVINCE An official of the UNAIDS has advised partners involved in the fight against Aids in Rwanda to stabilise the HIV prevalence rate in order to ensure that there are no new infections among the youths. Elisabetta Pegurri, said that the government should have a national strategic plan based on clear results and all partners should align to that plan to tackle Aids. Pegurri was speaking at a three -day workshop held in Musanze district aimed at setting plans to stem the Aids pandemic. The seminar was attended by participants drawn from the National Aids Control Commission (CNLS), and members of the civil society organisations among others. It was recommended that a new results based approach to stem aids should be adopted. Another UNAIDS official, Ruturwa Dieudonne, pointed out the need to make all Aids patients access treatment, care and support. “Since the government is committed to involve all stake holders like civil society organisations and the private sector in HIV prevention, results oriented initiatives should be undertaken,’’ Ruturwa said. The demographic and health survey conducted in 2005 indicated that in Rwanda 3% of the people live with HIV, 3.6% of them women. Ends