Launch of the Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD)/Access Project in Rwanda

The event took place on the 11 of July 2007 in the Mayange B primary school, district of Bugesera, East province.

The event took place on the 11 of July 2007 in the Mayange B primary school, district of Bugesera, East province. The ceremony was chaired by Dr Innocent Nyaruhirira, Minister of state in charge of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases. Were also present the representative of the Ministry of Education, Dr. Mamadou Malifa Blade from the WHO representative office in Rwanda, local officials, the UNICEF and GTZ representatives, Dr Marie-Alice Deville from SCI, the Director of the Earth Institute in Rwanda Pr Josh Ruxin, Dr Blaise Karibushi and the NTD team from the Earth Institute, Athanase Ndayisaba from Geneva Global, journalists, over 1000 children from the Mayange B primary school and villagers.

In his speech, the Minister of state in charge of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases put the focus on the commitment of the Ministry of Health towards the NTD project, while Dr Blaise Karibushi insisted on the symptoms of NTDs and the means for preventing infection.

The day was interspersed with dances and songs performed by the school-children themselves, which delivered messages about how to prevent NTD infections to all attending.

Each teacher and pupil received a T-shirt showing the logos of all the partners of the NTD project on the front and the inscription “Turinde Abana Bacu Inkoza Zo Munda” (let’s free our children from intestinal worms) on the back.

The pupils of Mayange B primary school were later treated against STHs with Albendazole.