Access Project Newsletter, June 2009

In the span of less than a week, over 4.2 million children across Rwanda were treated for intestinal worms and more than 100,000 treated for schistosomiasis. This herculean effort was the second campaign led by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the Access Project and other partners. Taking place at 1,998 sites across the country, March 24-27 2009, the campaign was a component of the Rwandan Ministry of Health’s Mother and Child Health Week.  The second newsletter highlights the construction of the Gashora health center and the GE partnership that is helping to save newborns.

More than 3 million children treated in four days

In the span of less than a week, an estimated 3,239,000 school-aged children across the country were treated for intestinal worms and more than 90,000 children were treated for schistosomiasis. “When a child is ill, he/she misses school. To look after that child, one parent will have to skip work. This is a small example of how important it is to have a healthy population. As a result, we have devoted an entire week to treat mothers and children for some of the most prevalent diseases so that they are healthy enough to have a better future”, said Dr. Fidel Ngabo, Coordinator of Maternal and Child Health Task Force, Ministry of Health.

Nyumbakumi Promotes Deworming Efforts

by Malick Kayumba

Félicitée Mukankombe, who is over 100 years old, went to the Rwesero Health Center recently to take drugs that will fight against intestinal worms and bilharzia.  She wants to make sure that everyone in her village will practice proper hygiene.

Rwandan Authorities Joining the Fight Against Neglected Tropical Diseases

by Malick Kayumba

The Access Project’s efforts to enlist local authorities in the campaign against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Rwanda are paying off. At a one-day meeting in November to disseminate NTD survey results, Musanze District Director of Health Sabahira Deo said district authorities, are “determined to be more involved in the fight.”

Access Project Newsletter

The first newsletter of the Access Project highlights the recent visit of former Governor of Wisconsin, Tommy G. Thompson, who pledged to support Rwanda in promoting the health sector and the success story of Vestine Kampororo who is now able to get quality care for two adopted orphans.

Hope Insured

Access to health insurance (mutuelles) gives a young family a healthy birth and hope in their fight against AIDS.

For a Few Cents

A few cents worth of penicillin could have prevented the heart condition that threatened Samson’s life.

Dr. Blaise Karibushi

Access Project Country Director speaking about Access Project in Rwanda.

A Deadly Distance

Living too far from the hospital, Nyiramuhire’s husband couldn’t get the AIDS medication he needed. Now widowed, she fears she might follow in his footsteps, until Access interventions bring treatments to her community’s health center.

Dr. Innocent Nyaruhirira

The former Rwandan Minister of State for HIV/AIDS speaks about the Access Project.

A Tale of Two Feet

by Josh Ruxin

When Simeon first entered the health center in Gashora, Rwanda, 20 years ago, he had a bothersome fungal infection on his foot and wanted treatment.