Rwanda is celebrating 20 years of life saving work to defeat HIV, TB and Malaria. Since 2003 Rwanda is one of the well-established and recurrent recipients of the Global Fund assistance and has made substantial progress in combating the three diseases .
From the 7th – 13th September 2021 Rwanda hosted the Torch Caravan that was circulating across 20 African countries to acknowledge the importance of the life-saving investments made by the Global Fund over the last 20 years as light of hope to the society and communities, that there is life after HIV, TB and Malaria.
In her remarks, the Community Representative while receiving the torch stated “We as Rwandans we promise to keep the light up as something that makes us feel slightly hopeful in different situations, and for everyone that lost their lives due to those pandemics; the torch will light forever as a sign of hope for better and meaningful life”
“Before the Global Fund support, there was no medicine, No help. People used to die saying that they were bewitched by their neighbors but the GF made it possible for us to get back to life, we really thank the Global Fund” she added
On September 13th , 2021 at Marriott Hotel Kigali, Rwanda NGOs Forum in collaboration with the GFAN- Africa celebrated the Global Fund for 20 Years of life saving work to defeat HIV, TB and Malaria and Strengthening Health systems.
With the Global Fund Partnership, 38 million lives have been saved in HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria since 2002, including six million in 2019, Thanks to the Global Fund, over 5.7 million TB patients in Rwanda were treated in 2019.
The 20th anniversary assembled Different stakeholders including the Ministry of Health, CCM- Rwanda, Rwanda Biomedical Center, Development partners and Different Rwanda Civil Society Organizations in the Health sector to recommit themselves and remind that collective power, to successfully mobilize needed resources, for communities to fight these preventable TB, Malaria, and HIV/AIDS diseases is much needed towards achieving universal health coverage.
During her opening remarks the chairperson of RNGOF Chairperson emphasized on the importance of global solidarity to End AIDS.
“As we celebrate 20 years of saving lives in HIV, TB and Maria, we need to also remind ourselves that it only remains 8 years to meet the global targets to end the three diseases, with global solidarity and strong partnership we can achieve this” she said
Among the Presenters, Omar Daair the British High Commissioner to Rwanda said that “Nobody Deserves to die from HIV, TB and Malaria, We believe the important of strong and equitable health systems which help people lives healthier no matter where they are and who they are or how much they have”
“People are now living healthier lives thanks to Global Fund support and partnership. This celebration means light of hope for lives saved by the Global Fund over the last 20 years” Said Zachee Iyakaremye, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health
“As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Global Fund, we need to remind ourselves that only about eight years are remaining to meet the global targets to end the three diseases by 2030, and to achieve this we need a global solidarity and a strong partnership of all the stakeholders. Together let us mobilize a healthier future for all.” He continued.
Together let us reaffirm the critical importance for Global solidarity and urgent actions to achieve sustainable development goals and global targets to end HIV, TB and Malaria by 2030.
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