HIV prevalence to drop by half by 2012

KIGALI - The Government of Rwanda, through the National AIDS Control Commission, developed its second HIV Strategic plan in 2009 with ambitious impact objectives to be achieved by the end of 2012. This move targets to reduce the incidence of HIV by a half in the general population countrywide. According to reports from the Ministry of Health, 26.3 percent of the total budget of the global fund grant that was received on Sunday will be channelled into the purchase of nearly 17 million condoms which will be distributed in private and public sectors for dual protection (HIV and family planning). Apart from that, the same amount will be used in facilitating the circumcision of 738,683 adults and new born males, building and equipping of the 6 youth centres, rehabilitating the 75 maternities and 61 VCT/PMTCT centres and as well testing 50 percent of the Rwandan population and also ensuring the diagnosis and testing of 643,986 Sexually Transmission Infections (STI) cases. The report also reveals that 38.3% of the funding will help in reducing AIDS-related morbidity and mortality and ensure that HIV is reduced. 16.4 percent will benefit persons infected by HIV/AIDS through providing scholarship support to 43,949 orphans and other vulnerable children, helping the associations of the people living with the virus to start income generating activities. The report mentions that, 19 percent of the grant will facilitate the coordination, monitoring and evaluation of HIV/AIDS interventions. “As we are all aware, a lot has been achieved in the fight against HIV and AIDS however, HIV /AIDS is still a problematic issue despite what the Government of Rwanda and all stakeholders have done this far,” said Health Minister Dr. Richard Sezibera. “Of course tangible achievements are recorded, but the HIV estimated prevalence rate in Rwanda of 3% implies an estimated 180,000 people living with HIV/AIDS, including 22,000 children”. He explained that the HIV National Strategic plan is closely aligned with Rwanda’s Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS) 2008-2012, which is the medium term strategy for achieving Rwanda’s Vision 2020. Ends