Rwandan peacekeepers serving under the United Nations Mission in South Sudan on Thursday, June 11, provided free healthcare services to more than 200 residents of the capital city Juba. The troops of Rwanbatt-1 and Rwanda Formed Police Unit provided the services in collaboration with Society for Family Health. The two-day medical outreach activity that concluded on Friday included general consultation, dental care, obstetric ultrasound, and ophthalmology. ALSO READ: Security forces to conduct 6,000 surgeries on cataract patients Maj Gerard Bahati Murasandonyi, Chief Medical Officer at Rwanbatt-1, said that the support they provided to local residents aligns with their mandate of protecting civilians as peacekeepers through community support activities. He also stated that the activity would help the local community through medical consultations, treatment, and provision of medicines for illnesses such as malaria and other health problems. ALSO READ: Security organs’ citizen outreach targets infrastructure, education, healthcare Ismail Abdu Nimaya, the coordinator of medical services in South Sudanese government institutions, commended the Rwandan contingents for providing free health services support. We need our brothers and sisters from Rwanda and the United Nations to join hands with us so that together they can continue to render these important health services to our people, Nimaya said. We are truly happy and appreciate the support and unwavering commitment from the Rwandan Contingents. Rwandan troops deployed in foreign countries under UN peacekeeping missions or under bilateral agreements conduct regular community outreach activities, including medical assistance, education support and cleanup work. These are similar to the activities done by military and police forces in the country, as part of the annual Defence and Security Citizen Outreach Programme, which aims to support socioeconomic development.
