Rwanda's First Lady Champions Protection of Newborns from HIV, Reports KT Press

KIGALI, Rwanda, Dec. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Rwanda's First Lady Jeannette Kagame is pushing her campaign for the welfare of vulnerable youth to a new level. She says a Rwandan child should be protected from prenatal stage HIV/AIDS, and receive good care until adulthood.

"We should not wait until our children are in trouble before we pray for and care about their better future," she said December 5th at a fundraising gala in Kigali, organized by Christian Life Community, a charity organization that caters for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Mrs. Kagame wants expectant mothers and their spouses tested for HIV/AIDS to avoid infecting newborns and receive professional medical counseling. With over 450 health workers across the country, the First Lady is convinced this would cut down the number of children infected with HIV in Rwanda.

Available data from the health ministry shows HIV prevalence in the country is 3% with 6,000 new infections every year since 201 –far less compared to other regions.

With a $100m annual budget, of which $10m is spent on reduction of mother-to-child HIV transmissions, Mrs. Kagame is pushing for the number of children infected with HIV to be decreased to 200 children by 2018 - down from 1,000 today.  

The First Lady's efforts are part of her initiatives to fight HIV. She is a founding member of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS and High Representative of Africa AIDS Vaccine program. She received several awards for her contribution to fighting Aids.

Since 2001, Imbuto Foundation, her charity, has created over 10 projects. Primarily protecting against HIV transmission during prenatal period. She also continuously mobilizes resources to support vulnerable youths.

She gives scholarships to vulnerable children with academic potential. For example it provides funding requirements for the entire secondary school cycle, at a cost of $300 annually, per child.

Meanwhile, on December 06, the First Lady also launched the 7th Imbuto Scholars' Holiday Camp attended by over 900 boys and girls in Huye district Southern Rwanda. The annual event is a platform that brings together students during school holidays to discuss issues relating to their daily lives.

"Once a seed is well planted, watered, nurtured and given all the necessary support, it successfully grows into a healthy plant," she told the gathering of students and officials.

For Media Inquiries:

Jean de la Croix Tabaro & Dan Ngabonziza
KT Press
+250788800987/+250788668509 
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SOURCE KT Press