Figures by the Ministry of Health indicate that people living with non-communicable diseases are more susceptible to Covid-19 and have been the most impacted. A report shows that at least 90 per cent of deaths registered in Rwanda due to Covid-19 were people with underlying conditions, especially non-communicable diseases. It also shows that the majority of Rwanda’s confirmed positive cases are of people between 20 to 59 years, and a few were above 65. It is in this context that the youth have committed to strengthening awareness campaigns in the next five years. About 1,000 young people who are members of Youth Unity Rwanda Imihigo across 416 sectors of the country have pledged to join the fight. “Some youth are reluctant to participate in activities that promote development and welfare of citizens. They should change their mind-set, and we are ready to join the campaign to change that, especially in fighting infectious diseases such as Covid-19,” says Rosine Mutoniwase. Johnston Nziza, another member, says that the role of youth in fighting Covid-19 should be boosted, seeing as the pandemic is yet to be defeated. “We have played a big role in awareness and we are still playing it and will continue to do so to prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as Covid-19. This means a lot considering that even the youth have been affected by the pandemic in various ways,” Nziza says. Dominique Komushana, the outgoing president of the initiative, says that the youth’s commitments include fighting poverty, HIV/AIDS and other diseases, protecting the environment, and fighting genocide ideology, among others. Eugene Ngoga says the commitments could be implemented under the five-year strategic plan. “We have to contribute to government efforts in executing performance contracts. Youth have to engage in job creation initiatives,” he says. He adds that members have been implementing measures in fighting Covid-19 and that the fight continues. “As youth, we have to mobilise citizens in preventing this pandemic. Citizens still need awareness of embracing hygiene, sanitation, physical distancing and others,” he says. Currently, the programme has over 38,000 members around the country.
