Defence Forces medics give free treatment to survivors

Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) doctors are carrying out a special health programme dedicated to survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Eastern Province. The free treatment exercise, jointly organised by Rwanda Military Hospital and the Fund for Assistance of Genocide survivors (Farg), started on Monday and ends today.A team of medics specialised in different areas from the military hospital launched the treatment at Gahini and Rwinkwavu hospitals in Kayonza District.The exercise is part of RDF’s routine community outreach programme, dubbed the Army Week, when military personnel assist members of the community in various areas of development.More than 17,000 survivors and other residents with clinical and physiological injuries will benefit from the programme countryside.Dr Col Ben Karenzi, the military hospital’s director, said RDF will treat survivors who are still suffering from the impact of the Genocide.“This is a voluntary service we offer to survivors of the Genocide and others with urgent need. No one should hesitate to take the treatment,” he said.‘Patients improving’Dr Maj. King Kayondo said patients treated were improving.“We have worked in 12 districts so far All the patients we attended to have healed. Most of them lacked specialised treatment. There are some people who couldn’t even walk, but today they are strong and running,” he said.The doctor, however, said severe cases of trauma need longer time to heal.“Trauma cases were handled, but it’s a long process and we need to give it time before it heals,” Maj. Dr Kayondo said.The doctors treat eyes, sexually transmitted diseases, skin diseases, teeth, among other.Theophile Ruberangeyo, the acting executive secretary of Farg, said survivors would benefit a lot from the free service.“The treatment and operations they are conducting is saving billions of francs we would have spent to treat the survivors abroad,” Ruberangeyo said.Samuel Mutaganzwa, a survivor with physical impairment, said the military doctors were doing a noble job.

National

Defence Forces medics give free treatment to survivors