GISAGARA – A centre for Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) has been inaugurated in Gisagara District.The Rwf30 million health facility was commissioned on Tuesday, at Save Health Centre. The center is expected to assist with the distribution of anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) to people living with HIV/AIDS and increase the number of people seeking voluntary HIV tests. The new centre becomes the 228th health facility recognized by TRAC to offer such services in the country. Sister Monique Karigirwa, the director of Save Health Centre, pointed out that the facility will greatly help in offering quality service to people living with HIV/AIDS in the area. “People used to travel long distances to Butare to access ARV’s. Hence the opening of this center will solve this problem,” said sister Karigirwa. Alphonsine Mukansanga, the president of the association of people living with HIV/Aids in the area welcomed the opening of the center. “It has always been difficult for our members to get transport to Butare for ARVs, the opening of the center is a timely solution to this problem,” says Mukansanga. Save Health Centre was founded in 1945. It offers health services to more than 26 000 people. The new VCT built with support from the Global Fund is expected to serve about 165 people living with HIV/AIDS, 70 of whom are already on ARVs. Ends
