Rwanda Military Hospital (RMH) yesterday launched its Integrated Centre for Voluntary Counselling and Testing, Antiretroviral Treatment, Prevention of Mother -to-Child Transmission, Anti Retrovirals and other infectious diseases, as well as a laboratory department.
Rwanda Military Hospital (RMH) yesterday launched its Integrated Centre for Voluntary Counselling and Testing, Antiretroviral Treatment, Prevention of Mother -to-Child Transmission, Anti Retrovirals and other infectious diseases, as well as a laboratory department.
The setting up of the whole facility cost Rwf 100 million while the equipment in the laboratory cost Rwf 300 million.
The laboratory includes equipment such as the Cobase 411 which tests infectious diseases, fertility hormones, cancer, heart diseases, hepatitis, brain tumors and other diseases. The machine produces results within 18 minutes.
Another is the Cobas c 311 which is used for clinical chemistry analysis. It tests the functioning of the liver, kidney and heart. It also checks blood sugars, lipids, glucose and fats among others. This produces results in 12 minutes.
The Minister of Defence James Kabarebe, who presided over the event, said Rwanda has developed a good partnership with the US government and the Department of Defence (DOD).
He added that the RDF is leading the fight against HIV/AIDS.
"The RDF is at the forefront in combating HIV/AIDS within the country by offering access to quality care with quality facilities,” he said.
Kabarebe expressed appreciation for the support the DOD had rendered to Rwanda Military Hospital over the years.
The Deputy Ambassador of the USA to Rwanda, Ms. Anne Casper, who gave her speech in Kinyarwanda, said she hopes the state-of-the-art laboratory would help fight HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases in the country.
She added that Rwanda is the leader in Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT).
The funding for the Voluntary Counseling, Testing (Antiretroviral treatment) and Laboratory premises came from PEPFAR through DOD and Drew Cares International.
Col. Dr. Ben Karenzi, the Director of RMH, said the hospital is focusing on referral activities to reshape the infrastructure to give it proper referral status.
"We are partnering with the US Department of Defence to set new strategic directions with specialty and technical capability to transform this hospital into an ultra-modern VIP facility,” Karenzi noted.
He added that the new facility and laboratory will help provide comprehensive care to patients with HIV/AIDS.