The Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has donated 462,000 free condoms during the International trade 2019 in Kigali that kicked off on July 22 ending August 11th. The initiative was to continue reducing new HIV/AIDS infection among Rwandans according to Narcisse Nteziryayo, AHF-Rwanda Prevention Program Manager.
Talking to press, Nteziryayo said that for many years, AHF-Rwanda has been distributing free condoms during the annual Trade Fair at Gikondo Expo ground in Kicukiro district.
“We have always partnered with the Private Sector Federation (PSF) by offering free HIV test, free male circumcision services and free condoms in areas near the expo grounds. These are the activities that we planned during the 21 days of Expo and were impressed by the turn up of the people who come to take the condoms. As the days went by, more people turned up for the free condoms and it appears that they are impressed by the quality,” said Nteziryayo
He added that HIV testing was done in Sodoma and Gashekero areas where over 548 people were tested for HIV.
“Of the overall number tested, 14 people were found positive and we immediately enrolled them into our treatment program. This number is high compared to the HIV prevalence rate in Rwanda and it is because these areas have a high number of sex workers,” Ntezeryayo explained.
Currently AHF is operating in 10 districts of Rwanda and continues to support the government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Health to reduce new HIV infections.
Free condoms are currently distributed at youth centres, pubs and public places and in condom kiosks countrywide. One condom kiosk gives between 10,000 and 15,000 condoms every week according to Nteziryayo.
“We want Rwandans to know that HIV is still around. We will continue mobilizing people on condom use and circumcision and hopefully many have understood the role of this. Many Rwandans are getting tested and the ones who are HIV positive are lucky because we follow on them and make sure they get Antiretroviral (ARVs) drugs,” said Nteziryayo.
The Government of Rwanda has committed to creating awareness on condom use through a number of approaches, including working with community health workers, promoting peer education, distribution in high risk zones, creating access in the process., distributing condoms in high risk zones is a key strategy) for the prevention of new HIV infections for both key and general populations.