As Rwanda prepares for the 22nd commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the Ministry of Health has equipped 108 police officers with basic skills of handling cases of trauma that may arise during the mourning period.

While officiating at a one-day training in Kigali on Monday, Dr Yvonne Kayiteshonga, the Director of Mental Health Division in the Ministry of Health/Rwanda Biomedical Centre, pointed out that during the commemoration period, the police plays a major role in ensuring public safety.

"Public safety includes the health of the people and this is why we found it necessary to equip officers with knowledge on how to handle cases of trauma and providing counseling in such situations,” said Dr Kayiteshonga.

"We have no doubt, Police will effectively handle cases of trauma if they arise,” she added.

"We are very appreciative of the role and commitment Rwanda National Police (RNP) exhibited during previous commemorations and we get better as years go by. This is why we are involving them in this effort as well,” she noted.

The trainees were equipped with knowledge on causes and signs of trauma, and counseling trauma victims.

During the training, theofficers were also told that people who have endured traumatic events will often appear shaken and disoriented. They may not respond to conversation as they normally would and will often appear withdrawn or absent-minded even when speaking, the trainees were told.

Medical experts say that trauma can be caused by an overwhelmingly negative event that causes a lasting impact on the victim’s mental and emotional stability.

While many sources of trauma are physically violent in nature, others are psychological.

With regards to emotional symptoms of trauma, the officers were told that such symptoms include anger, sadness and emotional outbursts.

Victims of trauma may redirect the overwhelming emotions they experience toward other sources, such as friends or family members, the facilitators said.

For the physical manifestation of trauma, victims are always characterised by paleness, lethargy, fatigue, poor concentration and a racing heartbeat, it was observed.

One of the trainees, Inspector of Police (IP) Daniel Uwimana from the Directorate of Medical Services, lauded the existing partnership between the Force and the Ministry of Health in the advancement of health services.

"Beside the fact that this training helps us to understand how to help affected people, it also helps us to understand how best we can handle such cases amongst ourselves.

‘‘Everyone has a responsibility of taking care of their neighbours or partners when it comes to trauma situations,” said IP Uwimana.

The official Genocide commemoration week starts on April 7 through April 13.

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