FEATURED: Nyanza District: AHF Rwanda’s HIV awareness to equip youth with knowledge to combat virus

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Rwanda organised a World AIDS Day event in Busoro Sector, Nyanza District, on December 6, as part of an ongoing awareness campaign aimed at educating the public on HIV/AIDS prevention. The day began with a competitive football match between the local Busoro and Muyira teams. Beyond sports, the event served as a platform to engage youth and share vital information about HIV prevention. The Busoro team emerged victorious and was awarded a gold cup, with both teams receiving cash prizes for their efforts. In addition to the football match, local musician Juno Kizigenza performed, keeping the audience entertained. His performance was accompanied by testimonies from individuals living with HIV, sharing their personal stories of resilience and how they have managed to live fulfilling lives despite their diagnoses. The key message throughout the event was to encourage young people to take charge of their health. Youth were urged to test for HIV, know their status, and, if positive, begin treatment immediately. The use of condoms to prevent HIV transmission was also emphasised. Dr Lambert Rangira, the Country Programs Manager for AHF Rwanda, spoke about the organisation’s commitment to HIV prevention in Rwanda. He stressed that the event was part of the wider awareness campaign that had begun on December 1. “We are here in Busoro as part of our awareness campaign that started on December 1 to raise awareness about HIV prevention. AHF Rwanda supports 38 health facilities across the country, with three of them located here in Nyanza District; Nyanza Hospital, Nyanza Health Centre, and Busoro Health Centre, where we are based today. We intend to promote HIV awareness and ensure that youth are equipped with the information and resources they need to stay healthy,” he added. Rangira further noted a concerning trend in recent years; a rise in new HIV cases, particularly among young people aged 15 to 29. “Most of the new cases we detect are in the youth demographic. This is a critical group as they are the future workforce of this country. Our message to them is simple, get tested, know your status, and use available preventive measures. Testing is free, treatment is free, and condoms are freely distributed at our AHF-supported sites,” Rangira said. He also mentioned that AHF Rwanda is promoting voluntary medical male circumcision, which studies have shown can reduce the risk of HIV transmission. “The recent increase in HIV cases, especially among key populations such as men who have sex with men, and female sex workers, is concerning. In Busoro, we have seen an increase in cases due to the town’s growing population and traffic, which may spread the virus further. We must remain consistent with our prevention messages, especially targeted interventions for these key groups.” Dr Rangira also highlighted the need for the Busoro sector as a central location for the campaign because it is one of the health facilities the organisation has been supporting since July 2023. He added that it is crucial to promote the free services available here, including prevention, treatment, and care. “We want to make sure people know that these services are available and accessible right in their neighbourhood. “A new development in HIV prevention, the PrEP injectable medicine, is expected to be rolled out by the end of this year or early next year— this long-acting medication will improve adherence to HIV prevention.” Dr Hackim Mugisha, a health expert from the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) who works with youth living with HIV, spoke about the challenges in reaching young people with HIV awareness. “We still face gaps in reaching young people, particularly those in schools. Many youths are afraid to get tested due to stigma and lack of understanding. We need to do more to educate them, not just about the virus, but about living positively with HIV. Understanding HIV is crucial to reducing stigma and encouraging testing,” Dr Mugisha stated. He noted the ongoing campaigns to engage schools across the country, stating that every year, they have a six-month campaign that continues after World AIDS Day, where RBC reaches out to schools in different districts. “This year, we are focusing on Southern Province and plan to reach out to schools in the area. The approach to educating youth includes a mix of fun and informative activities, such as music performances. Youth love fun and engaging events, so we bring in musicians to help get the message across. But the key messages about HIV and prevention are always front and centre, ensuring that they resonate with the audience,” Dr Mugisha added. Norman Manzi, the Director and Founder of Dream Village, an organisation supporting young people living with HIV, said that stigma remains a barrier to HIV testing and treatment. “Many young people still fear going for a check-up because of stigma. We need more awareness and sensitisation in communities and schools to make sure that young people understand that living with HIV is not a death sentence,” he added. Manzi stressed the need to invest in youth programmes to reduce new infections. “The message today is clear: HIV is still here, and we all have a responsibility to help end AIDS by 2030. We need to invest more in youth programmes, provide better support for those living with HIV, and ensure that young people are thriving, not just surviving,” he stated. The Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs in Nyanza District, Nadine Kayitesi, emphasised the role of parents in supporting the fight against HIV. “Parents need to guide their children, help them understand how to protect themselves and avoid risky behaviours like unprotected sex. This fight is everyone’s responsibility, and we must all work together to prevent early pregnancies and the spread of HIV,” she concluded.

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FEATURED: Nyanza District: AHF Rwanda’s HIV awareness to equip youth with knowledge to combat virus