Ministry of Health pays tribute to former employees killed during genocide

Paying tribute to former MINISANTE employees was preceded by a visit to Ntarama memorial in Bugesera district where over 5000 victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi are laid to rest.

They also visited Aheza Healing and Career Center where they received explanations of services offered at the center.

Nshimiyimana Emmanuel, the Executive Secretary of Groupe des Anciens Etudiants et Elèves Rescapés du Genocide (GAERG) explained that the center handles trauma cases, especially among genocide survivors.

GAERG is an organization founded by Rwandan graduates Genocide survivors with a mission of creating a world in which the memory of genocide is preserved and a self-sustaining genocide survivor’s community.

A recent research by the Ministry of Health revealed that one of 3 genocide survivors always has depression while only one of ten among the rest of the population is depressed.

“All these are problems affecting us. We wonder how we can address them with partners. Over the past 25 years after the genocide, the government of Rwanda has been closer to Rwandans especially genocide survivors in building resilience, but the trauma cases are persistent,” he said.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Diane Gashumba has said that MINISANTE and related institutions have allocated Rwf 6.3 million of need Rwf 63 million to help genocide survivors suffering from trauma.