Army week: Residents appeal for extension of outreach

SOUTHERN PROVINCE KAMONYI/MUHANGA — residents of Muhanga and Kamonyi district have appealed to the Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) to prolong the dental health outreach after many residents missed the opportunity to have free medical care. 2nd Lt. Ildephonse Nshimiyimana, a Military dentist told this reporter that the number of residents in need of the services was beyond what RDF had anticipated while planning for the outreach. A total of 771 residents in Muhanga, and Kamonyi districts received dental care as at last week.The beneficiaries lauded the RDF surgeons for the intervention. 411 Brigade also donated 1600 mosquito nets to the vulnerable persons in the same districts. Francine Uwingeneye one of those who benefited said that: “It is very encouraging to see the army involved in community development activities. I had failed to have dental attention because of long queues at the referral hospital.” 2nd Lt. Nshimiyimana revealed that the request will be forwarded to the RDF top officials for consideration. He also revealed that most of the residents suffered from dental problems due to lack of hygiene and use of crude methods of maintaining their teeth. “Most of the infections are caused by poor hygiene and in order to educate the community, it was necessary to train the residents on basic dental hygiene before commencing treatment” he said. Large numbers of residents formed long queues to receive medical attention during the ongoing and extended army week activities which have continued in Muhanga and Kamonyi districts in the Southern Province. Most of those who attended the outreach said that they travelled long distances to access the free dental care. Ends