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Empowering Communities to Combat HIV/AIDS and STIs

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Today, 14th March 2024, marks the beginning of an important collaboration between the National Association for Supporting People Living with HIV/AIDS (ANSP+) and the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), supported by the Global Fund. This collaboration aims to enhance community mobilization efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The comprehensive training program launched today includes workshops and training sessions designed to empower key populations and their umbrella organizations. By equipping these groups with knowledge and skills, the initiative seeks to enable them to play a more active role in health promotion and disease prevention within their communities. The importance of community involvement in the fight against HIV/AIDS and STIs cannot be overstated. Communities are often at the forefront of providing support and care to those affected by these diseases. By empowering key populations and their organizations, we can strengthen the overall response to HIV/AIDS and STIs, ultimately leading to healthier communities and a reduced burden of disease. Alongside, Bashirijabo Jean Bosco, the health promotion and disease prevention officer at Musanze District and facilitator from Ruhengeri Hospital in this session, they warned participants that “If you’re worried because you think you’ve got an STI, go for a check-up at a sexual health clinic as soon as you can, not having sex, including oral sex, without using a condom until you’ve had a check-up.” The symptoms of an STI can include; an unusual discharge from the vagina, penis or anus, pain when peeing, lumps or skin growths around the genitals or bottom (anus), a rash, unusual vaginal bleeding, itchy genitals or anus, blisters and sores around your genitals or anus, warts around your genitals or anus, warts in your mouth or throat, but this is very rare. This initiative is a testament to the commitment of ANSP+, RBC, and the Global Fund to work collaboratively towards the goal of ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

ANSP+ and Partners Initiate Training to Boost Community Engagement Post-COVID-19

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Kigali, Rwanda – March 11, 2024 Today, the National Association for Supporting People Living with Hiv/Aids (Ansp+)in collaboration with the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) and the Global Fund, commenced a comprehensive training program aimed at enhancing community mobilization efforts post-COVID-19 and towards combating other high-burden diseases. The initiative, which includes workshops, training sessions, and coordination meetings, seeks to empower members of ANSP+ and its umbrella organizations to play a more active role in health promotion and disease prevention. Mukasekuru Deborah, speaking at the opening session, expressed gratitude to all participants for their attendance and commitment. She underscored ANSP+’s mission to support key population, including sex workers, AIDS patients, and youth. Deborah emphasized the importance of disease awareness, highlighting the critical need to address malaria, COVID-19, HIV/AIDS, Ebola, tuberculosis (TB), and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) within communities. Mukeshimana Valentine, Head of Rwamparra Hospital and a lead trainer at the event, engaged participants in discussions focusing on the aforementioned diseases and their impact on communities. She stressed the significance of community engagement in preventing the spread of these diseases and highlighted key strategies for effective mobilization. Valentine encouraged participants to utilize their knowledge and skills to create positive change in their communities, particularly in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Valentine, started trainings discussing on COVID-19. On the mode of transmission, she explained that the evidence so far indicates that the virus is spread from person to person through small respiratory droplets. When a person coughs or sneezes, these droplets can also land on nearby surfaces. There is also evidence that the COVID-19 virus can last on surfaces, especially plastic and metal.

From 2015 up to now:

Achievements / By

It was a competition to benefit from funds of Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) under sponsorship of the UNDP and One UN. Consequently, ANSP+ is implementing a project of cultivation of Kitchen gardens with vegetables and cultivation of mushrooms in Nyagatare District with 191 beneficiaries;