AEGiS-IRIN: RWANDA: Government initiates AIDS programme for army

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2000. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

RWANDA: Government initiates AIDS programme for army

Integrated Regional Information Networks - October 9, 2000

NAIROBI, 9 October (IRIN) - In a bid to effect an AIDS control programme initiated by the Rwandan government for the army, more than 50 army officers attended a three-day workshop on the modalities of controlling the disease and counselling techniques. The Rwanda News Agency (RNA) quoted the country's defence minister, Emmanuel Habyarimana, as saying it was necessary to have a "strong army" and "this can only be attained through the elimination of the AIDS scourge among the armed forces". He stressed that soldiers and officers could only control the disease "if they change their behaviour". Participants noted that the forces were at risk of being affected by the disease since military service involved the movement of troops from one place to another. "Military service is also carried out by youths who are sexually active," they noted. AIDS control programmes have been formed in almost all the ministries, including that of defence, RNA added.

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