KIGALI - Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as "Doctors without borders”, Wednesday officially ceased its activities in Rwanda after 16 years of operations.

MSF is an international humanitarian aid organisation that provides emergency medical assistance and operates in more than 70 countries. 

Under a Euros 3.2million (approx Frw2.3 billion) HIV/AIDS project, MSF provided medical care for people living with the scourge in Kinyinya and Kimironko Health Centres, Gasabo District.

"We are now leaving Rwanda and we hope that we have left very good results behind. MSF remains ready to come back to Rwanda should any emergency arise,” Sebastien Roy, the MSF representative said during a farewell function at Hotel Novotel Umubano.
Roy added that MSF leaves the country at a time when health care capacities are strengthened unlike the time of its operation during the 1994 Genocide.

He said the remaining challenge was to increase psycho-social support by promoting open dialogue between children and parents on the realities of HIV/AIDS.

Health minister Dr Jean Damascene Ntawurikuryayo said government would incorporate the project in its HIV/AIDS programmes with the assistance of the Belgian Cooperation.

In carrying out humanitarian assistance, MSF seeks to raise awareness of crisis situations. It also sets out to alleviate human suffering, to protect life and health and to restore and ensure respect for the human beings and their fundamental human rights.
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