HUYE – A Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) clinic, based in Huye, on Thursday, received an assortment of health equipment from Drew Cares International (DCI).

The Huye brigade clinic offers various services, including free male circumcision, and HIV testing, prevention, care and treatment services.

The donation, worth Rwf 28 million, includes mainly laboratory equipment like stethoscopes, pedal bins, autoscopes, laryngoscopes, microscopes and haematology analysers, among others.

Speaking at the event, Ahmed Abajobir, the DCI Country Director, noted that the donation was part of efforts to strengthen the capacities of RDF health facilities in HIV/Aids prevention, care and treatment services.

"We need appropriate modern equipment to test people for HIV and monitor the situation of those infected so they can be assisted accordingly,” Abajobir said.

"In fact, some of the equipment are not available in other public facilities, such as health centres. So, those centres can refer their patients to this clinic to get better services.”

On the same occasion, plans to transform the clinic into a model health centre in the area were unveiled.

According to Lt. Marcellin Sebagabo, the RDF Focal point on HIV/ Aids, the clinic is on course to meet standards required to upgrade to a health centre.

"We have started the process and we hope that, by January 2012, we will have the authorisation to work as a health centre,” he said.

Dr Charles Murego, the head of the Directorate of Medical Services (DMS) at the Ministry of Defence, promised to "use the equipment in the interests of the people”.

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