RBC, WaterAid Rwanda caution Bugesera residents on COVID-19 preventive measures

By Elias HAKIZIMANA.

Rwanda’s Ministry of Health through Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) have cautioned residents of Bugesera District to continue respecting COVID-19 preventive measures.

Bugesera district has on Thursday recorded 10 cases of this pandemic.  The week-long campaign that was concluded yesterday has been educating citizens from various sectors of the district.

Speaking to The Inspirer amid the event in Ruhuha market where the campaign was concluded, Olivier Rukundo, Project Manager of Covid-19 Response Project of WaterAid Rwanda said that the campaign was prepared in partnership with Bugesera District to keep educating citizens about the preventive measures against the pandemic.

“We have observed tremendous change in mindset of the citizens towards Covid-19 pandemic prevention measures. We gave them a full package of education on how Covid-19 is spread, how to prevent it by washing hands very well with a soap and clean water, using hand sanitizer, keeping one-meter distance between one person and another, avoiding mass gatherings and respecting the curfew hours.” Rukundo said.

Donat Tuyihimbaze, the in-charge of Health, Hygiene and Sanitation in Ruhuha sector requested the citizens to continue putting into practices the advices given by WaterAid.

“10 cases of Covid-19 pandemic were registered on Thursday in Bugesera district, the number that can increase even to 100 when we don’t abide by the guidelines and prevention measures in place.” He noted.

“We have not yet found any case in Ruhuha sector and we go ahead in the implementation of the measures to prevent the pandemic, my message to citizens is that Covid-19 is a widespread pandemic and targets everyone, this campaign has been vital as many citizens did not know how to wear the face mask very well.” He added.

Théogène Ntirenganya, in charge of Water, Hygiene and Sanitation in Bugesera district reminded citizens to wash hands quite often when they enter the shops.

Citizens speak out  

“I have learnt a lot about Covid-19, I keep tell my child to wear the face mask very well and I will buy enough for her to take to school. I encourage her to wash hands with a soap as water is available at school, I also tell her to keep one-meter distance when she is with her peers.” Said Lestide Yankurije, a trader in Ruhuha market.

Chantal Mukashyaka, a young lady from Ruhuha sector said: “I know that Covid-19 is contaminating through air and by touching in one’s hand, what we need to do is to avoid mass gatherings and greeting with hands as well as keeping one-meter distancing.”

WaterAid Rwanda Covid-19 response Campaign Manager speaking to the citizens in Ruhuha market.

Evariste Ntibaziyandemye, another citizen said: “I learnt that having hygiene by washing hands.”

14 new cases of Covid-19 were registered on Friday, November 20, 2020. Those include 7 cases in Kigali, 3 in Nyamasheke, 2 in Nyagatare, 1 in Rusizi and 1 in Musanze.