It was announced during the International Condoms Day celebration held on Friday 18th February 2022. It was organized by AHF Rwanda in collaboration with Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC).
The event also featured a concert of various artistes who joined efforts to prevent the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections through condoms.
As AHF revealed, more than three million condoms were distributed for free last year, while more than 250,000 have been delivered since the beginning of 2022.
Speaking at the event; Nteziryayo Narcisse, Prevention Programs Manager at AHF Rwanda said that HIV still exists, yet there is no cure and vaccine. He urged Rwandans to always remember the use condoms as one of best ways to prevent infections.
“We have made possible efforts to fight the epidemic. That is why the prevalence of HIV stands at 3% in Rwanda while other countries are above 10%,” he said.
Nteziryayo said the condom is a reliable way to prevent new infections, unplanned pregnancies, and other sexually transmitted infections.
“Condoms are cheaper and available in Rwanda everywhere. It is available in AHF-designed houses in partnership with RBC, and is available at health centers, the private sector, boutiques, and various other condominiums.”
Dr. Basile Ikuzo, the Director of Prevention Unit at Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), said it is everyone’s responsibility to prevent AIDS.
“We urge the people of Rwanda and the world at large that HIV is still there, that it is a threat to us. We need everyone’s contribution to support the cause,” he said.
Each year, 1.5 million people are infected with HIV, which is a huge number that everyone needs reconsider.
“It’s a good reminder that when used properly, condoms are a great way to prevent the virus from spreading and to help people who are infected with the virus to stay clean”, Dr. Ikuzo added.
Few kilometers before reaching the finishing line, Restrepo broke into a sprint and arrived first clocking 3 hours, 54 minutes and 10 seconds. He registered the same time with other riders of his peloton including Tesfazion Natnael who won Tour du Rwanda in 2019.
Restrepo, 27, has also taken the yellow jersey from Alexandre Geniez who retained it on first and second stage of the tournament.
Participating for the sixth time, Restrepo breaks the record as the first rider to win six stages.
The top performing Rwanda is Seth Hakizimana riding for Team Rwanda who was the 23rd to cross the line.
The week-long tournament will continue on Wednesday 23rd February 2022 with the fourth stage covering 124.3 kilometers from Kigali to Gicumbi.
The 14th edition of Tour du Rwanda will cover a total distance of 937.1 kilometers.
The race has attracted 19 teams competing in eight stages across Rwanda.
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It is reported that he has died in the United States of America (USA).
Joe Ritchie who was granted Rwandan nationality headed RDB from 2007 until 2009.
In 2017, Joe Ritchie was among among nine individuals decorated with the Igihango National Order of Outstanding Friendship medals in recognition of their exemplary service to the nation in various capacities.
His death follows the loss of another friend of Rwanda, Dr. Paul Farmer who died on Monday 21st February 2022.
The two friends of Rwanda whose death is announced in 24 hours were decorated with the medals on the same day.
In August last year, he attended the Presidential Advisory Council meeting which discussed various topics including the COVID-19 pandemic and current affairs.
It was chaired by President Paul Kagame. Among others, the meeting brought together Rwandan and International experts who offer strategic advice to the President and the government.
Also present at the meeting were Louise Mushikiwabo, the Secretary-General of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie and the Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda, John Rwangombwa among others.
International experts who attended include Ashish Thakkar, the Founder of Mara Group which established phones manufacturing plant in Rwanda ; Dale Dawson, the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Bridge2Rwanda.The latter is a foundation formed to help expand Rwanda’s global network of friends, to encourage foreign direct investment and to create opportunities for Rwandan students to study abroad.
The council also hosted Kaia Miller, Mauro De Lorenzo, Joseph Ritchie, Michel Roux, Dave King, Paul Davenport, Rod Reynolds, Pastor Rick Warren, Scott Ford and Christian Angermayer.
Dr. Farmer breathed the last on Monday 21st February 2022. The UGHE announced that the renowned American physician and philanthropist died while sleeping. He has been in Rwanda for almost one month where he lectured at UGHE.
He has been a friend of Rwanda for more than 20 years who significantly contributed to the advancement of the country’s health sector. In 2019, President Paul Kagame decorated Dr. Farmer with the Igihango National Order of Outstanding Friendship medal.
He had wished to stay in during his advanced ages, sources reveal.
As the bad news dominated the media coverage on Monday, health officials headed to Butaro where Dr. Farmer was staying to get first-hand information on circumstances of his death.
Following his demise, President Paul Kagame is among high profile personalities expressed condolences to the bereaved family noting that he will be cherished for his contribution to national development.
He said that is hard to find the words to express the sad news of the passing of Paul Farmer, a philanthropist who ‘combined many things hard to find in one person’.
The Head of State went on to explain that ‘the weight of his loss is in many ways personal, to the country of Rwanda [which he loved and to which he contributed so much during its reconstruction], to my family and to myself’.
Ange Kagame, the daughter of President Kagame has said that it hard to meet a human being as special, kind and impactful as Paul Farmer was.
Bill Clinton, the former President of the United States of America (USA) has said that he, his wife and their daughter Chelsea are devastated by the sudden passing of Dr. Paul Farmer whom they described as one of the most extraordinary people ever known.
The family has through a statement revealed that it is an honour to have worked closely with him in Haiti, Rwanda and beyond; to serve alongside him on the board of the Clinton Health Access Initiative; and to be counted among his multitude of friends around the globe.
“Paul Farmer changed the way health care is delivered in the most impoverished places on Earth. He saw every day as a new opportunity to teach, learn, give, and serve—and it was impossible to spend any time with him and not feel the same,” Bill Clinton tweeted.
Bill Gates has also shared his feelings via Twitter noting that the demise of Dr. Farmer is a huge loss.
“What a devastating loss. Paul is a hero, and I was fortunate to call him a friend. I have never known anyone who was more passionate about reducing the world’s worst inequities in health—or who did more to live by his values,” he said.
“Paul was never happier than when he was caring for patients in one of the clinics he helped create. My heart goes out to his family and friends, his colleagues, and all the people whose lives he touched, “Bill Gates added.
Bill Gates expressed optimism that his work will continue through Partners In Health, the organization he co-founded which he described as ‘a phenomenal legacy’.
Melinda Gates, the ex-wife of Bill Gates also expressed sentiments of sorrow for the passing of Dr. Farmer, her teacher whom she considered a friend and role model.
“I’m heartbroken that my teacher, mentor, & friend Paul Farmer is gone. He taught me what it means to listen—to really listen—instead of charging in with my own solution. He showed me how to channel my anger about the barriers that hold people back into relentlessness & optimism,” she tweeted.
Melinda Gates highlighted that she will miss her dear friend and ‘continue to be inspired by him, every day’.
Samantha Power who once served as US ambassador to UN has mourned Dr. Paul Farmer and eulogized him as a person who shared everything with others.
“He saw the worst, and yet did all he could to bring out the best in everyone he encountered. Indefatigable, mischievous, generous, brilliant, soulful, skeptical, idealistic, beloved. A giant,” she tweeted.
The Director General of World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also revealed via Twitter handle that he was deeply saddened and heartbroken by the death of a friend and global health champion.
“He led so many efforts for health equity and against root causes of injustices. We must never stop continuing his legacy. You will be so greatly missed my friend,” he said.
Dr. Farmer was renowned for his efforts to provide health care to low-income nations. Born in North Adams, Mass., he graduated from Duke University in 1982 and went to Harvard University, where he earned an M.D. and a Ph.D. in anthropology.
He served as a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences and of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
In 1987, Farmer founded Partners in Health in Haiti with the mission to provide high-quality care to patients from impoverished backgrounds and those living far from health-care facilities. Over the next three decades, PIH expanded to countries across Africa and Latin America, to Russia and to the Navajo Nation in the U.S.
In 2020, he won the million-d0llar Berggruen Prize for Philosophy and Culture, an honor that goes to an individual who has made major contributions to advancing ideas that shape the world.
As per existing law, income not exceeding Rwf30,000 per month is taxed zero percent, while that ranging from Rwf30,001 and Rwf100,000 has to pay 20 percent tax rate, and above that is taxed 30 percent.
The adopted draft law proposes Rwf60,000 as the minimum taxable income instead of Rwf30,000 and the reduction of tax after two years since the law was enacted.
Once enacted, income ranging from Rwf60,001 and Rwf100,000 will be taxed 20% initially to be reduced to 10% after two years. Workers earning from Rwf100,001 and Rwf200,000 will be taxed 30% to be reduced to 20% after two years.
The proposal was tabled to reduce the tax burden on low-income formal workers and promote employment.
IGIHE has learnt that the draft law was not immediately presented to the parliamentary Standing Committee on National Budget and Patrimony but rather was returned to the Government for further review.
Even though the draft law is still under review, there is optimism that the clause meant to reduce tax burden on low income earners won’t be annulled.
Parliamentarian Théogene Munyangeyo has told IGIHE that approving the proposal would hugely contribute to citizens’ progress.
“Raising the taxable income would be a great relief to citizens. This should be more optional than increasing salary because it would cause price hikes. By doing so, citizens’ kill two birds with one stone with possible avenues to run income generating activities,” he said.
Munyangeyo explained that it was long ago since the establishment of existing tax on income stressing the need to have it revised and aligned with financial stability.
“The law has existed for long. If it was established at a time when a dollar was exchanging for Rwf300 or Rwf400, but apparent that the amount has doubled, the revision will ease citizens’ burdens,” he noted.
The existing tax on salary would see some private companies employing a large number of people limiting their salary to Rwf30, 000 to cut expenses.
Once the proposal is approved, Munyangeyo said, it would see some workers’ salary increased without incurring losses to the Government.
He explained that some employees seemed to be limited to that amount of money while others kept working without employment contracts.
Munyangeyo observed that raising the taxable income will facilitate investment while enabling people to diversify sources of income.
IGIHE has learnt that the entire proposal was returned to the Government after it emerged that many clauses needed to be revised.
As the proposal was being reviewed, some parliamentarians suggested that the minimum taxable income should increase to Rwf100, 000.
Jean Bosco Renzaho, 35, was arrested Sunday, February 20, after some people complained about the fake test results, according to the Eastern region Police spokesperson, Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamdun Twizeyimana.
SP Twizeyimana said that Renzaho was issuing issuing negative Covid-19 results without taking tests.
“Renzaho was reported by three people, who wanted to attend a wedding but first went to Matimba health center to do a Covid-19 test as required.
However, Renzaho gave them negative results even without taking their tests. Realising that what he had done was wrong, the three people decided to report the unlawful act leading to Renzaho’s arrest,” SP Twizeyimana said.
He warned against such inappropriate and unethical behaviours, which can lead to the spread of Covid-19.
The spokesperson thanked those who shared information leading to the arrest of the suspect. He urged the public to be vigilant against such deceptive and criminal practices.
Renzaho was handed over to RIB at Matimba station for further legal process.
Article 276 of the law determining offences and penalties in general states that any person, who in any manner, forges or alters documents by forged signature or fingerprint, falsifying documents or signatures or impersonation, forging agreements, its provisions, obligations, or discharged obligations, commits an offence.
Any person who, with fraudulent intention, produces a false written document, causes to write false statements or produces a conflicting declaration, is considered to commit the offence of forgery.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five (5) years but not more than seven (7) years and a fine of not less than Rwf3 million and not more than Rwf5 million or only one of these penalties.
The practical awareness is also designed to increase people’s understanding on fire and to equip them with knowledge and skills to detect and respond related emergencies.
On Monday, February 21, the fire safety awareness was extended to 21 staff of Carrefour Clinic in Gikondo Sector, Kicukiro District, following thousands of other medical workers and support staff, who have been trained in different health facilities across the country.
Participants in the one-day training and exercise include medical doctors, nurses, technicians, head of departments, cleaners and security guards.
They were explained on the causes, classes and components of fire, evacuation procedures in clinic along with demonstration on how to put out fire using different types of fire extinguishers and fire blanket.
ACP Paul Gatambira, the commanding officer for FRB, said that the outreach was initiated to equip institutions and separate establishments that receive a big number of people, with skills to prevent and fight fire outbreaks.
He added that the awareness also includes inspecting these facilities whether they are a risk to fire, to advise them to fix the identified electricity installation gaps, which can ignite fire
“We first explain to trainees on the causes and components of fire along with procedures for safe evacuation in case of fire. We give them skills to ensure people’s safety against fire and how safely to rescue people in emergency circumstances,” ACP Gatambira said.
Other skills given to the staff include precautionary measures when using cooking gas and how to use fire blanket to put out fire.
ACP Gatambira reminded them to always call the FRB on 111, 112, or 0788311224 in such emergency circumstances to respond to the fire before it escalates.
Following his demise, President Kagame paid tribute to Dr. Farmer, expressed condolences to the bereaved family noting that he will be cherished for his contribution to national development.
“It is hard to find the words to express the sad news of the passing of Paul Farmer – the person, the Doctor, the philanthropist. He combined many things hard to find in one person. The weight of his loss is in many ways personal, to the country of Rwanda [which he loved and to which he contributed so much during its reconstruction], to my family and to myself. I know there are many who feel this way in Africa and beyond,” Kagame tweeted.
“My deepest condolences to Didi, his wife, their children, family and friends,” he added.
Dr. Farmer, the co-founder of Partners in Health (PIH) and UGHE was among nine individuals decorated with the Igihango National Order of Outstanding Friendship medals in 2017, in recognition of their exemplary service to the nation in various capacities.
He will be remembered for his great contribution to the progress of health sector in many countries including Rwanda.
The management of the university has also extended condolences to his family, his colleagues at Partners in health and the UGHE Family.
Partners In Health is a Boston-based nonprofit health care organization founded in 1987 by Paul Farmer, Ophelia Dahl, Thomas J. White, Todd McCormack and Jim Yong Kim.
Known locally as Inshuti Mu Buzima, PIH has worked in Rwanda since 2005, helping the government fight HIV, improve maternal and child health, and bring integrated, high-quality health care to more than 860,000 people across Burera, Kayonza, and Kirehe districts.
{{[Related story: Dr. Paul Farmer, founder UGHE passes on->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/dr-paul-farmer-the-founder-ughe-passes-on]}}
Kagame is among other dignitaries expected to attend the inauguration of the stadium.
Rwanda’s Presidency has revealed that Kagame who arrived on Monday 21st February 2022 was received by his counterpart of Senegal, Macky Sall in Dakar, the capital of Senegal.
The stadium to be inaugurated today will bear the name of former President Abdoulaye Wade who accepted the decision taken by President Macky Sall.
Towards the end of last week, President Paul Kagame and Macky Sall attended the high-level BioNTech Vaccine Equity for Africa meeting during which BioNTech Group’s modular container prototype known as BioNTainers was unveiled.
News about his death started circulating today around 3p.m.
His death was communicated by the management of UGHE which also expressed condolences to the bereaved family.
“It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Chancellor, Professor Paul Farmer who was the co-founder of Partners in Health [PIH] and the University of Global Health Equity, which occured today. He has been an inspiration for most of us at UGHE,” reads part of the statement.
“This is so sudden, an unimaginable catastrophe to all of us and the global health community as a whole. A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered. Please, join us to mourn the passing of our beloved role model, our leader, our dearest friend and our Muganga Mwiza [good doctor]. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, his colleagues at Partners in health and the UGHE Family. We request for your prayers as we go through this difficult time,” adds the statement.
It is said that Dr. Farmer has been suffering from high blood pressure which might be related to his death.
IGIHE has learnt from credible sources that Dr. Farmer has been in Rwanda for one month where he lectured at UGHE and attending to patients at Butaro Hospital.
Dr. Farmer is the recipient of numerous honors, including the Margaret Mead Award from the American Anthropological Association, the Outstanding International Physician (Nathan Davis) Award from the American Medical Association, a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, and, with his PIH colleagues, the Hilton Humanitarian Prize.
Dr. Farmer was among nine individuals decorated with the Igihango National Order of Outstanding Friendship medals in recognition of their exemplary service to the nation in various capacities.
He has also served as a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences and of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Farmer was known for his efforts to provide health care to low-income nations. Born in North Adams, Mass., he graduated from Duke University in 1982 and went to Harvard University, where he earned an M.D. and a Ph.D. in anthropology.
In 1987, Farmer founded Partners in Health in Haiti with the mission to provide high-quality care to patients from impoverished backgrounds and those living far from health-care facilities. Over the next three decades, PIH expanded to countries across Africa and Latin America, to Russia and to the Navajo Nation in the U.S.
In 2020, he won the million-d0llar Berggruen Prize for Philosophy and Culture, an honor that goes to an individual who has made major contributions to advancing ideas that shape the world.
