At least 160 police Officers from Kayonza and Rwamagana District Police Units yesterday donated blood to support the national blood banks managed by the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC). Led by the Regional Police Commander (RPC) Assistant Commissioner Of Police Dismas Rutaganira, the officers also conducted a route march that covered 12 km where they exhibited morale and physical fitness – an indication that they are always ready to serve the people. Along the 12km distance coverage, the law enforcers attracted cheers from residents and later conducted an anti-crime awareness meeting with residents in different communities and rallied them on community policing. Speaking during the exercise ACP Rutaganira said that, “besides police involvement in various community social programmes, we are motivated by our routine experiences where blood is usually needed after incidents such as road accidents.” “As police officers, we are committed to making sacrifices every day to save lives and that’s why this exercise comes as an addition to our sworn responsibility of ensuring safety of Rwandans,” said ACP Rutaganira. He said that donated blood is part of the efforts to boost the national blood banks managed by the National Centre for Blood Transfusion (NCBT). The voluntary exercise is in line with the Memorandum of Understanding between RNP and Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) signed in March this year, which binds the two institutions in aspects of health and security related healthcare. Lydia Uwera the Eastern Region RBC officer hailed the initiative and appealed to the general public to follow suit and hopefully save a life.” On, October 1, close to 700 Police officers, held a similar exercise at Kacyiru police general headquarters. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
