BY BONNY MUKOMBOZI NORTHERN PROVINCE Musanze — District Coordinator of the National Aids Commision (CNLS) Damascene Kamanzi said polygamy played an important role in the spread of HIV/Aids in Musanze. “People seem not to understand the cause, symptoms and the consequences of sexually transmitted diseases,” Kamanzi said. According to the survey, which was conducted by CNLS, the Aids prevalence is standing at 5.2 per cent in the district, a high rate in comparison with the national average of 3 per cent. Forty seven associations concerning HIV are registered in the district, with over 2530 people; these are engaged in different economic activities, including farming, carpentry and tailoring. Uwisanze Bernadi chairperson of an umbrella organisation expressed lack of satisfaction from the support by CNLS, as many patients stop taking anti-retroviral drugs due to lack of nutrition to balance their diet, lack of strong medical support. CNLS, a commission which coordinates the activities and also offers support to the people living with HIV. The registered associations, with hundreds of members engaged in different activities, are said to operating on few handouts and sometimes registered but with no particular activity being pursued. Ends
