Child HIV infection prevention efforts draw praise

RWAMAGANA - The president and Chief Executive Officer of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation (EGPAF) an international health organization , Charles Lyons, has hailed Rwanda’s efforts towards preventing mother to child transmission of HIV/Aids. Lyons made the remarks while visiting Nzinge Health Centre in Rwamagana district with a team of experts from his organization on Wednesday. The tour was meant to establish first hand information of what the country is doing to prevent the spread of HIV, especially mother to child transmission. “Rwanda is one of the countries in the world that lead in the fight against HIV spread among children. There is no doubt that the progress will eliminate pediatric HIV infection,” he said. “The people’s efforts and the government’s will, with US support, have made HIV prevention successful. Such a visit thus, re-energizes us more.” He reiterated EGPAF’s commitment to giving technical assistance, to foster quality services in the health sector. Dennis Weller, Mission Director U.S Agency for International Development, emphasized the US Government commitment, to help Rwanda to register progress in the health sector. “Most of our assistance packages go to the health sector…Rwanda has shown great progress in the fight against HIV, as a result of our intervention,” he said. Gasper Maburaniro officer in charge of Nzige Health Centre, said that EGPAF assistance has been instrumental in developing some of the basic facilities at the health centre. “The good laboratory equipment and availability of antiretroviral drugs, due to support from EGPAF, has greatly reduced mother to child HIV transmission,” he noted. EGPAF has been in Rwanda for the last 10 years. It is financially supported by USAID and the Centre for Desease Control. EGPAF serves in 17 countries around the world, with an overall aim to create generations free of HIV. Ends