The MPs raised this concern on Monday, August 03, 2020 while a plenary session of the Chamber of Deputies endorsed a report by the parliamentary standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Security on tours they made in some districts of the country to assess some activities of security organs.
Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) tests have the purpose of confirming a relationship between individual, proving if there is a biological link between them or, in other
cases, such as criminal investigation to identify culprits, among other uses.
The National Forensic Laboratory carries out DNA tests at the cost of Rwf270,000 (each), while if the procedures were done in foreign countries, like Germany this price would be nearly half what it would cost.
MP Frank Habineza said that the majority of those in need of DNA tests are discouraged by the cost.
“The majority of those seeking services from the National Forensic Laboratory are continuously complaining about the issue of high cost of DNA tests; which is an obstacle for many people who want that service,” he said.
MP Iphigenie Mukandera, the vice chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Security, said that though the prices are high compared to the financial means of some Rwandans, they are reasonable if compared to the price of the equipment used at the laboratory.
“The equipment used at the laboratory is expensive, marking it difficult to extend services to different parts of the country. However, people who seek DNA test services get them,” she said.
Meanwhile, she said, the existence of the laboratory in Rwanda reduced the time and money it took to get DNA test results compared to when the service was sought abroad.
Some MPs argued that lack of DNA testing facilities in parts of the country other than Kigali, is a challenge.
The Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Security, said that the National Forensic Laboratory has conducted more than 8,000 DNA tests so far.
MP Marie Therese Nirere said that if there were other branches in different parts of the country, the number of samples could increase.
“I think that distance also matters in terms of access to service. A person from Rusizi District or upcountry areas finds it difficult to get services in Kigali, and might demotivate them,” she said.
Qatar Airways used to operate daily flights from Kigali to Doha with a stop in Entebbe- Uganda. Under the new flight schedules, the airline planes will not be stopping in Uganda as the Entebbe International Airport is still closed.
Qatar Airways has a strong relationship with Rwanda with eight years of operations to Kigali. The award-winning airline began scheduled services from Kigali on 21 March 2012. Qatar Airways recently resumed flights to key destinations in Africa including Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam, Djibouti, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar and Tunis.
Qatar Airways Acting Vice-President, Middle East, Africa & Pakistan, Mr. Bennet Stephens said: “We are delighted to resume flights to Kigali, totalling our flights to 33 weekly flights to Africa with eight destinations. Qatar Airways continues to maintain an expanding schedule with now more than 500 weekly flights to over 75 destinations. During the pandemic, Qatar Airways have become the largest global carrier to maintain its schedule in taking people home with the highest safety measures. Our wide network of flights during these challenging times has ensured we have kept up to date with the latest in international airport procedures. We also implemented the most advanced safety & hygiene measures on board our aircraft and in our home and hub at Hamad International Airport which was recently voted the Best Airport in the Middle East for the sixth year in a row.”
“Qatar Airways has been the most reliable airline during the pandemic and will continue to ensure its promised five-star service and hospitality is delivered across its network. We hope to see many people come visit Rwanda and explore the world’s stunning wildlife and more.”
Qatar Airways has enhanced its onboard safety measures for passengers and cabin crew. The airline has introduced Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for cabin crew which includes gloves, face masks, safety glasses and a new protective gown that is fitted over their uniforms. A modified service that reduces interactions between passengers and the crew inflight has also been introduced.
Onboard, all Qatar Airways passengers are now provided with a complimentary protective kit. Inside a ziplock pouch they will find a single-use surgical face mask, large disposable powder-free gloves and an alcohol-based hand sanitiser gel. The airline has also introduced disposable face shields for adults and children.
Passengers travelling from Hamad International Airport (HIA) will receive their face shields at the check-in counters, whereas at other destinations, the face shields will be distributed at the boarding gates.
Qatar Airways resumes flights at a time when the final round of negotiations to acquire 49% stake in RwandAir are still ongoing. In February this year, Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker told IGIHE that negotiations were ongoing, only that the agreement had not yet been signed.
To ensure travellers can plan their travel with peace of mind, the airline has extended its booking policies to offer even more choice to its passengers. The airline will allow unlimited date changes, and passengers can change their destination as often as they need if it is within 5,000 miles of the original destination. The airline will not charge any fare differences for travel completed before 31 December 2020, after which fare rules will apply. All tickets booked for travel up to 31 December 2020 will be valid for two years from the date of issuance. For full terms and conditions visit www.qatarairways.com/RelyOnUs.
Among airlines with operations in Rwanda are: Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Brussels Airlines, Turkish Airlines, KLM, EgyptAir, Jambo Jet of Kenya and RwandAir.
Of all these companies, six have already been authorized to resume their operations in Rwanda, with some starting and others to be launched in the coming days; those allowed to resume flights to Rwanda are RwandAir, Ethiopian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Qatar Airways, Kenya Airways and KLM.
Qatar Airways will operate three flights a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It was at 3:15 P.M. on Monday, that the first flight took off from Kigali to Doha, making no stops.
Among airlines with operations in Rwanda are: Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Brussels Airlines, Turkish Airlines, KLM, EgyptAir, Jambo Jet of Kenya and RwandAir.
Of all these companies, six have already been authorized to resume their operations in Rwanda, with some starting and others to be launched in the coming days. Those allowed to resume flights to Rwanda are RwandAir, Ethiopian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Qatar Airways, Kenya Airways and KLM.
Pharmacists oftentimes hear this from various clients. I have been working in a Pharmacy for last five months in addition to my internship period but this statement has come to my ears a hundred times.
People are most concerned because brand drugs are most of the time more expensive than their generic versions. They wonder if the quality and effectiveness have been compromised to make the less expensive products.
However, people should know that a generic drug has the same amount and type of active principle, the same route of administration, and the same therapeutic effectiveness as the original drug. So there’s no truth in the myths that generic drugs are manufactured in poorer-quality facilities or are inferior in quality to brand-name drugs.
When a pharmaceutical company develops a new drug for a certain disease condition, that drug is initially sold under a brand name.
After a drug is discovered, the original manufacturer is given rights to sell that drug for a certain period of time without anyone else authorized to sell the same drug(Patent protection).That company will be the only one with full authority to manufacture, market and benefit from that drug.
However, this authority will not last forever; it has a lifetime that varies between countries and drugs but globally the maximum is 20 years.
Since the pharmaceutical company has spent millions of dollars on research, development, clinical trials, marketing and promotion of the said drug, it is only fair that a relatively higher price be placed upon a brand drug than on its generic versions.
As the patent nears expiration, other manufacturers can apply to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for permission to make and sell the same drug. Only then can the generic versions of the drug be manufactured.
The brand drug only belongs to the first developer of the drug. Without the costs of research, drug development and clinical trials other companies can afford to make and sell generic drugs cheaply.
Moreover, when multiple companies begin producing and selling a drug, the competition among them can drive the price of the drug down even further. That’s why generic drugs are cheap because the manufacturers have not had the expenses of developing, clinical trials and marketing a new drug.
Sometimes, generic versions of a drug might have different colors, flavors, or combinations of inactive ingredients than the original medications. However, Food and Drug Authorities require that generic drugs work as fast and as effectively as the initial brand-name products.
Generic drugs will not look exactly like the brand-name preparation, but the active ingredients must be the same in both preparations, ensuring that both have the same medicinal effects.
The fact that a certain drug is cheap does not equate being fake or substandard. People should not spend a lot of money on brand drugs (Specialite) unless they can afford them. Even those who can afford the relatively expensive brand drugs would better think of saving some money by buying generic drugs, since they are both effective.
Regis Rugemanshuro, director-general of Cimerwa Plc, said that going to the stock market is an opportunity for investors who want to invest in the company.
He said Cimerwa’s ambitions to become a major factory would not be achieved without going to the stock market.
The Executive director of Rwanda Development Board, Clare Akamanzi, said Cimerwa is a good example of a company committed to promoting the ‘Made in Rwanda’ program.
She said other Rwandan companies should learn from Cimerwa, and go to the stock market to expand.
Cimerwa Plc has a total of 703,219,520 shares, of which 344,575,560 shares (49%) are floated..
A 49% stake in Cimerwa will be put on the market owned by the Agaciro Development Fund representing the Government of Rwanda, the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), Rwanda Investment Group (RIG), and Sonarwa Holdings Ltd.
Cimerwa has put the shares on the market when it needs to provide cement to build 22,000 classrooms across the country in less than three months.
When the company goes to the stock market, it’s given a tax holiday on capital gains for five years, which varies depending on the shares sold and can reach 20%.
There are currently nine companies on the Rwandan stock market; Crystal Telecom, Bralirwa, Uchumi Super Market Ltd, National Media Group, Bank of Kigali, Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), Equity Bank Group Ltd, I&M Bank Rwanda, and RH Bophelo Limited recently joined.
The number of bars closed between the said dates is 1687, vehicles seized 2705, the number of arrests in bars is 6,234, those who did not comply with the distance of one meter are 12,001, and those who travel after 9 pm are 23,401.
Minaloc figures show that in Kigali City, those punished of non-compliance with Coronavirus safety regulations included four village leaders, 276 closed bars, 477 vehicles seized, 966 arrests in bars, 442 non-compliance, those caught after 9 p.m. was 3,280, and those who did not wear masks were 1265.
In the Northern Province those punished include, 4 village and community leaders, 322 bars were closed, 555 vehicles were seized, 1379 people were arrested in bars, 3716 didn’t comply with the social distance, 4683 people moving after pm, and 6797 didn’t wear masks.
In the Southern Province those punished includes, 12 village and community leaders, 446 bars were closed, 684 vehicles were seized, 1517 people were arrested in bars, 3,836 non-compliant of social distance, 5,554 moving after 3: pm, and 8111 without masks.
In the Eastern Province punished includes, three village and community leaders, 186 bars were closed, 703 vehicles were seized, 831 people were arrested in bars, 1521 people did not comply with the one-meter distance, 1521 people moving after 9:00 pm, 3654 moving without masks.
In the Western Province those punished included, 2 village and community leaders, 457 bars were closed, 286 vehicles were seized, 1541 people were arrested in bars, 2486 non-compliant with social distance, 4169 people walked after 3 pm, and 7230 didn’t wear masks.
The Ministry of Health recently announced that there has been an increase in the number of people infected with the Coronavirus in the past two weeks, and analysis has revealed that most are between the ages of 20 and 49, as they don’t comply with the prevention guidelines.
In the third week of last month, Minister of local government, Prof. Anastase Shyaka said that to help the police to better enforce the Coronavirus prevention guidelines, local authorities have started new cooperation in fighting those who don’t comply with the prevention guidelines of the pandemic.
These 100 Zoll Portable Critical Care ventilators, manufactured in the United States, are leading-edge and in-demand technology to help COVID-19 patients to breathe.
They give Rwanda a powerful tool to treat critically ill patients affected by the virus and can be operated invasively or non-invasively. For patients whose lungs are not working adequately due to COVID-19 or other severe respiratory illnesses, this equipment will be lifesaving.
According to Peter Vrooman, the US ambassador to Rwanda, the ventilators are valued at over Rwf1 billion, and will be accompanied with training to assist local doctors and nurses deploy them effectively should critically ill patients require them.
“The USAID will work closely with Minister Ngamije, the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) officials here in Kigali and medical professionals in the provinces to ensure the ventilators are quickly distributed to medical facilities throughout Rwanda,” he said “We are also working together to ensure medical personnel receive the necessary technical training to safely operate and maintain the devices.”
Dr. Daniel Ngamije, the Minister of Health said that for patients whose lungs are not working adequately due to Covid-19 or other severe respiratory illnesses, this equipment will be life-saving.
“They will be distributed in Covid-19 treatment centers to save lives, they will complement the existing efforts to treat patients. This is an immense contribution during unprecedented moments,” Dr. Ngamije said.
“The ventilators will be distributed in four Covid-19 treatment centers and 10 government hospitals across the country, we shall make sure that they are distributed and installed as soon as possible to be used,” Dr. Ngamije further said.
“These ventilators are critical to Rwanda’s response to Covid-19. They will save many lives and have been made specifically for Rwanda. We shall continue to work with USAID and Rwanda biomedical center (RBC) to make sure that they are distributed.”
Ngamije thanked President Donald Trump for his generosity and support to the Rwandan people in the fight.
RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera, said that the inspection services are only open to vehicles involved in commercial transportation of people and goods.
“As we continue to observe the government directives in the fight against further spread of Coronavirus, MIC operations will only start with public service vehicles, specifically buses and minibuses; commercial vehicles meant for transportation of goods, which include trailers, semi-trailers, trucks with three axles and above, and Fuso trucks,” CP Kabera said.
CP Kabera explained that owners of cargo and public service vehicles, who had paid for their first inspection before MIC temporarily closed its inspection services, will not be required to pay again.
MIC temporarily suspended its mechanical inspection services back in March, when the government instructed the closure of all services that could fuel further spread of novel Coronavirus.
“People, who had booked for an appointment and paid for their first visit before the temporary closure of MIC services in March 2020, will be given priority and will not pay again for the inspection services,” CP Kabera said.
He said that MIC has taken all the precautionary measures in line with the government directives meant to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, to ensure the safety of its personnel and those seeking inspection services.
He, however, urged those visiting MIC to comply with the safety and hygiene instructions at the centre such as compulsory wearing of facemask, washing or sanitizing hands and social distancing.
Only the person driving the vehicle will be allowed inside MIC premises to prevent congestion and to allow enough space for social distancing, CP Kabera said.
On August 1, as all flights resume, only travellers that have been tested within 72 hours (at least three days) by approved laboratories and are found not carrying COVID-19, are allowed to enter Rwanda.
Upon arrival, travellers will be immediately re-tested, then sent at one of the 17 selected hotels where they will remain for 24 hours as they await their test results.
Medical doctors will also be available on call at a consultation fee of $ 10, in addition to the $ 50 they will be paying for the COVID-19 test.
“The Government of Rwandan has negotiated special rates at the designated hotels for the waiting period. Should a guest wish to remain in the hotel after receiving negative test results, they are welcome to extend their stay at the applicable hotel rates.”
According to the statement, the negotiated hotel rate is on full board basis, including three meals and if a guest takes less than the three meals there will be no refund provided to them; any extras will be paid separately upon order.
The price varies from $ 200 for resident in the Kigali Marriott Hotel to $ 40 which is the lowest rate and applicable for those that will choose to be staying in the Greenwich Hotel, Remera.
“We encourage passengers to have international travel insurance.” Said RBC
Travellers are strongly encouraged to observe all preventive measures announced by the Ministry of Health; these include frequent hand-washing, proper wearing of face masks in public and maintaining safe physical distance from others (at least on meter apart).
{{Designated transit hotels:}}
1. Kigali Marriott Hotel: USD 200
2. Radisson Blu Hotel: USD 170
3. Kigali Serena: USD 170
4. Hotel des Milles Collines: USD 150
5. Grand Legacy Hotel: USD 140
6. Lemigo: USD 140
7. Gorillas Golf: USD 130
8. Park Inn by Radisson: USD 120
9. Ubumwe Grande Hotel: USD 100
10. Karisimbi Hotel: USD 90
11. Hotel Villa Portofino: USD 70
12. Dove Hotel: USD 70
13. The Nest Kigali: USD 65
14. Quiet Haven Hotel: USD 60
15. Great Season Hotel: USD 60
16. The Mirror Hotel: USD 50
1. The Cabinet approved resolutions of the previous meeting held on July 15th 2020.
2. The Cabinet reaffirmed the need for increased vigilance in implementing COVID-19 preventative measures and called on the public to limit unnecessary movements including visits to friends and family.
3. The Cabinet reviewed existing measures to contain spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and approved the following effective immediately.
These measures will be reviewed after 15 days upon a health assessment.
{{General preventive measures}}
a. Mass screening and testing for COVID-19 will continue nationwide.
b. Masks must be worn in public at all times.
c. All resumed services must continue adhering to health guidelines from health authorities (hand hygiene, mask wearing and social distancing).
d. All traders are required to accept digital payments as an alternative form of payment.
e. Movements are prohibited from 9 PM to 5 AM.
{{Services to resume/continue}}
a. Places of worship may resume for main services in accordance with guidelines issued by the Ministry of Local Government.
b. Public and private businesses will continue with essential staff while other employees continue working from home.
c. Tourism will continue and Kanombe International Airport will reopen on August 1st 2020.
d. Hotels shall continue operations and are encouraged to participate in domestic tourism promotion and offer conference services. All services offered must be in adherence with health guidelines.
e. Movement within Rusizi district will continue but movements between Rusizi and other districts (except for good and cargo) remain prohibited.
f. Non-contact outdoor sports is permitted however gyms shall remain closed.
g. Motos are permitted to carry passengers except in zones under lockdown. Strict hygiene must be observed and masks worn at all times.
h. Civil marriage ceremonies will continue but should not exceed 15 persons. Religious marriage ceremonies should not exceed 30 people.
i. Religious ceremonies for burial shall continue with no more than 30 persons. Funeral gatherings should not exceed 30 persons.
{{Services to remain closed}}
a. Land borders will remain closed, except for goods and cargo, as well as returning Rwandan citizens and legal residents.
b. Schools will remain closed until September 2020.
c. Mass gatherings in public spaces and homes are prohibited. Attendence at a wake/vigil (kiriyo) must not exceed 15 people at any one time.
d. Gaming activities remain prohibited.
e. All bars will remain closed.
4. The Cabinet was briefed on Rwanda Vision 2050.
5. The Cabinet approved the following:
– National land use and development master plan.
– Policy on school sports.
– Presidential order governing Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS).
– Prime Minister’s order allocating state land in its private domain for investment, located in Gahini sector, in Kayonza District.
6. The Cabinet meeting approved the agrément for the following Ambassador and envoys designated to represent their respective country/organizations to the Republic of Rwanda:
– Mr. Amir Muhammad Khan: High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Republic of Rwanda with residence in Kigali.
– Ms. Rolande Pryce: Country Manager of the World Bank, with residence in Kigali.
– Mr. Maxwell Gomera: Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) based in Kigali.
7. The Minister of Youth and Culture informed Cabinet about Umuganura Day that will be celebrated on August 7th 2020.
{{Kigali, July 29th 2020
Dr. Edouard Ngirente
Prime Minister
}}
Prior to the resumption of flights, RwandAir used their social media platforms to give a sneak picture of what it will look like; with a photo of two flight attendants wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while they were attending to passengers.
We can’t wait to welcome you on board!
Our cabin crew will be wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and are ready to serve you.#FlyTheDreamOfAfrica#FlySafeWithUs pic.twitter.com/e35WeAgNhl
— RwandAir (@FlyRwandAir) July 27, 2020
It is expected that before a person is allowed to take a flight, he or she will be showing a certificate that they were tested and found free of Coronavirus, and passengers immigrants will be re-tested on arrival at the International airport.
For people about to board a plane, they will be parting with those who accompanying them in the outside parking lot; from there they will start by cleaning their hands with hand sanitizers before entering the airport building, all while respecting the distance indicated between people. Signs were placed to indicate where one should stand or sit.
Someone will go through a Camera that has the ability to measure temperature; inside they will find a machine that helps providing a boarding pass and their luggage identifier. This will be the new way of boarding, instead of the old one where one had to pass by a staff to access all the above mentioned.
Yvonne Makolo, RwandAir CEO recently said these machines were designed to reduce people’s interaction in providing services.
When reaching at the passport and visa checkpoint, a glass is set up to separate the passenger and staff from the Immigration Office; it is important that the staff will clean their hands before touching the said documents.
Makolo said all flight attendants would wear PPE;
“Proper distance will be respected while boarding the plane; passengers will be grouped into small groups from those occupying back seats. We have made sure that the plane should be clean, after each flight, we have also changed the food providing methods to minimize the contact between passenger and flight attendants.” She said
In addition, one will carry one baggage in the plane to prevent people from touching other people’s bags.
Though respecting distance while seating in the economic class is difficult for people, because in the beginning there will be fewer passengers, it will be easy to comply with directives.
“Everyone will be wearing masks; therefore, we encourage people to carry enough masks when on long trips, so as to change them every four hours.” Said Makolo
The most commonly used areas such as toilets will be sprayed in every time a person leaves, and even on the plane there will be plenty of hand sanitizers.
It is expected that the first round of flights destinations will be to countries that have already opened their borders, where RwandAir is normally operates in.
“These will be trips in the region and some African countries. For long trips, we plan to first go to Dubai, and gradually widen our destinations as the instructions will allow to. From August 1st, we will be heading to Nairobi, Lusaka, Cotonou, Libreville, Dubai and few other places” added Makolo
The plane was also designed a system that allow, if ever a person with COVID-19 was to be detected, to be put in isolation immediately; upon landing such person will be placed in the hands of doctors for medical attention.
