Police extend HIV voluntary testing to crime prevention partners

Medical personnel from the Rwanda National Police (RNP) Specialised Medical Programmes has extended its HIV voluntary counseling and testing services to security personnel and community crime prevention partners in Karongi District. The ongoing exercise is part of the RNP health development and human security programmes supported by Single Project Implementation Unit (SPIU). According to Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Dr. Justin Mucyo, who is spearheading the exercise which started on February 10, beneficiaries include police officers, members of district administrative security organs – DASSO – reserve force, Community Policing Committees, (CPCs), community health workers, and family members of these groups. “The voluntary counseling and testing will last for a period of ten days. We started in Rubengera Sector and so far we have tested about 200 people including those in Bwishyura and Mubuga sectors. We will cover all parts of Karongi, including indoor residual spraying as part of fighting malaria and other diseases,” said Dr. Mucyo “We first sensitise the people on HIV prevention, the importance of knowing their status, and positive living, and it is here that those who volunteer to know their status are tested,” he added. The HIV counseling and testing exercise also includes distribution of condoms. At least 10,000 condoms will be freely distributed in Karongi alone. In a similar exercise, last year, RNP also tested over 12, 000 people in the Southern Province, where they also distributed at least 149, 000 condoms. Similar health exercises were also conducted in Bugesera and Nyamasheke districts, late last year. “This is part of the RNP support to government health programmes to police a healthy people. HIV/AIDS and malaria are some of the diseases that can cause insecurity if not special attention,” Dr. Mucyo, calling on the general public to know their status, abstain or practice protected sex to the least, and sleep in mosquito net.

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Police extend HIV voluntary testing to crime prevention partners