16th commemoration to emphasize fight against trauma – Minister

KIGALI - As the country prepares for the upcoming 16th commemoration of 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the Minister of Sports and Culture, Joseph Habineza, yesterday revealed that the theme will focus on fighting trauma. Habineza highlighted that there are many trauma cases in the country as a result of the Genocide, adding that is the reason this year’s theme seeks to find a solution to the problem. “Fighting trauma is definitely a process that will take time. It is a prevalent problem that is evident in both survivors and perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi,” he said. The Minister added that on the official day to mark the beginning of the commemoration week, President Paul Kagame, and a delegation of top officials, will lay a wreath at the Gisozi Genocide Memorial site after which other events will take place at the national stadium. Recently, mental health experts made a call to all Rwandans to show support and care to traumatized people, especially during the commemoration period. Citing statistics from a recent survey, the medics noted that 79 percent of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) cases are reported during the commemoration period. According to Dr. Paul Mahoro, who together with Dr. Naasson Munyandamutsa, conducted the research, results showed that out of the 1,000 Rwandans that were taken as a sample group, 28.54 percent suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Officials in the Ministry of Health have trained many people who will offer mental health services across the country. Ends