Over 1,000 service providers in the health sector were yesterday sensitised on the major diseases that include Tuberculosis, AIDS and Malaria. The initiative was aimed at creating awareness about the diseases so that the service providers, not necessarily medics, can also be in position to sensitise other people. The Director of Behavioural Change Communication at Rwanda Biomedical Centre, Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi, said the campaign was vital as well as beneficial. “Not everyone that works in the health sector is acquainted with medical and health issues; so they equally need to be sensitised like other citizens. We have started by mobilising this sector then they will also sensitise other people,” Gatabazi said. He added that it was the first time the campaign was taking place but expressed optimism that it would be held more frequently. Among the other issues highlighted during the campaign was customer care in the health sector. The Minister of Health, Agnes Binagwaho, called upon healthcare providers to always be courteous to their clientele and take time to attend to patients’ needs. Binagwaho also advised them to effectively communicate their programmes and activities. “You should be Twitting at least every day, blogging and having Facebook accounts to disseminate information about your work. You should also write stories about your work and have them published in the media at least twice a year,” the minister said. maria.kaitesi@newtimes.co.rw
