Genocide posed challenges to Rwanda’s health sector

Based on various reports, the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi resulted in a number of women contracting the deadly HIV/AIDS infection, which subsequently had serious implications on human health and the Rwandese population in general. HIV/AIDS has been one of major health challenges not only in Rwanda but also in the Great Lakes region. Many cases of rape, torture, murder and other gender based violence activities were recorded during the 1994 genocide. The rate of spread of the disease was uncontrollable during the 100 days. The post genocide government has encountered great challenges in an effort to fight against the disease spread and provide proper health care to the victims. After realising that the HIV/AIDS pandemic and other infectious diseases like Tuberculosis and Malaria were posing greater social and economic challenges to the society, government set up special institutions to deal with such challenges. To counteract them, the ministry of state in charge of HIV/AIDS and others infectious diseases as well as the national commission for fight against HIV/AIDS (CNLS) were established. The two institutions worked hand in hand to reduce the rate of prevalence of the disease. This was done through continuous and concrete sensitisation programmes as well as designing of immediate and long term strategic framework, to overcome the social and economic challenges posed by the disease. The achievements and hard work of the two institutions was manifested in 2005, when a health survey carried out by experts from the Ministry of Health and other health institutions, showed that the rate of infection had dropped from 11 per cent to 3 percent.The current 3 percent prevalence rate shows how the Rwandan government and its health partners have worked hard to equip and protect the population from infection. In light of the current situation where many widows and genocide survivors have in previous years been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, it is of no doubt that the 1994 genocide had negative health impacts to the Rwandan population. The government and its health partners have responded by only assisting the HIV/AIDS victims to live their daily lives but also contribute to the social and economic progress of their families and society. It is now clear that HIV hinders the full participation of its victims in daily life, which makes it vital to prevent the spread of the disease. Prevention mechanisms have included: abstinence, faithfulness and use of condoms. The government of Rwanda has embarked on education and dialogue about the causes and consequences of the disease to increase awareness in the society though it still remains a major threat. Health experts and the Ministry of Health have been assisting with facilitation of dialogue and awareness among the population, thus contributing to the reduction of stigma. Ends