Rwanda National Police

Beneficiaries of the Rwanda National Police free circumcision and HIV test which started on Friday have commended the force for helping them know their status and how to avoid acquiring sexual transmitted diseases.

The beneficiaries of the ongoing ten-day exercise in Kayonza and Rwamagana districts include members of community policing committees, District Administrative Security Support Organ (DASSO)

The RNP health-oriented services also include checking blood pressure, counselling and distributing free condoms.

The exercise is conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Health.

Pascal Habarugira, a member of Community Policing Committee in Muhazi Sector in Rwamagana said that there are still some people who don't know their status, how to live a positive or negative life.

Habarugira pledged to encourage other people especially the youth from his village to turn up in big numbers for these health services.

Police Constable (PC) Richard Karemera, another beneficiary and a student at Gishali Integrated Polytechnic (GIP) said, “it is very important that someone takes a voluntary decision to test for HIV to primarily know his or her status but also to be educated how to prevent being infected with HIV and other STDs."

"I tested negative and I am very happy for knowing my status and I thank Police for bringing these services closer to us," Jean de Dieu Nsabimana, a member of CPC and resident of Shyogwe Cell, Nyamirama Sector in Kayonza , said.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dr. Wilson Rubanzana, Coordinator for Isange One Stop Centres and Specialised Medical Programme in the country, explained that HIV/AIDS and other STDs 3e epidemics  that affects not only individuals but also the country’s development.

“Development would not be achievable where a big number of the country’s population is infected with HIV/AIDS. It is in this framework that Rwanda National Police laid concrete strategies to prevent spread of the scourge among Rwandans and educate those infected on how to live a positive life.” ACP Dr. Rubanzana said.