As part of the national plan to eliminate Viral Hepatitis C (HCV), Rwanda has so far screened 7 million people, including children and adults, and treated close to 60,000 people, according to Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC).

Dr. Janvier Serumondo, the Director of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Viral Hepatitis Unit at RBC, says that although they have reached their target in screening and treatment, there are still some other indicators that need to be addressed.

The country targeted to eliminate hepatitis C by 2024, but an estimated 4 per cent of the population in Rwanda still lives with the virus while the prevalence of hepatitis B virus is at 2 per cent, data from RBC shows. 

As the world observes World Hepatitis Day today, July 28, Rwanda recognises achieved targets, but also looks forward to strengthening efforts in order to eliminate the virus.

The global theme for this year is 'Bringing hepatitis care closer to communities,' while the national theme is; "Rwanda Cares: The Last Mile Towards Hepatitis Elimination."

There are so many indicators for hepatitis C elimination, screening, and treatment-related indicators are part of them, Serumondo says, adding that, "We reached screening and treatment targets but there are other indicators such as incidence and mortality which we are still working on."

Way forward

Rwanda was recently named by Abbott, a global healthcare leader, as one of the countries in Africa which are progressing well in eliminating the hepatitis virus in the population. It is the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to have reached its last mile in eliminating the virus. 

The forward plan is to screen the remaining numbers and treatment of confirmed cases, preparation for WHO HCV elimination validation, strengthening of preventive interventions for Viral Hepatitis B (HBV), and increasing efforts toward HBV elimination, according to RBC.

Emmanuel Niyonsenga, a public health officer at the Rwanda Pharmaceutical Students Association (RPSA), says that although there has been significant progress, more effort is still needed in completely eliminating the virus.

"There are still some challenges, especially with awareness where few people have no idea why they should be screened and prevent hepatitis. We still need to put efforts in reaching people in lower communities to educate them on why they need screenings and vaccines, and why prevention is key," he says.  

Throughout the years, Rwanda has made significant progress in implementing HCV control measures; including early screening of blood supply, training and enforcement of safe injection practices, the establishment of a Hepatitis program in 2011, and the publication of the first Viral Hepatitis National Guidelines in 2013.

It was in 2018 that Rwanda committed to a challenge of eliminating hepatitis C by 2024.

Initiatives such as raising community awareness, ensuring affordability of screening and treatment, and solidarity with international partners, has facilitated a lot in terms of being on track to achieving set targets.

The estimated prevalence of chronic HCV and HBV has since dropped from 4 per cent and more than 3 per cent in 2015 to less than 0.39 per cent and 0.35 per cent respectively in 2022.  By Inès Rutayisire Umurerwa, New Times

By NANGAYI GUYSON

Kampala, Uganda- Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has appointed Nobert Mao as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs less than 24 hours after signing a 'working cooperation agreement' with the opposition Democratic Party (DP) causing fracas reaction from opposition members in the Country.

President’s appointment of Nobert Mao’s has left fellow opposition members in shock.  Earlier this year, Mr. Mao accused four-time Presidential aspirant Dr. Kizza Besigye of FDC and NUP Robert Kyagulanyi of secretly supporting Museveni while posing as opponents.

He even threatened to release evidence if the situation became worse.  He also requested a group of DP members who were supporting the National Unity Platform as being like watermelons with a green exterior but crimson interiors (DP) to quit the party so it could run smoothly.

But it was by surprise to Ugandans both in the opposition and in the ruling party seeing Democratic Party-DP president Norbert Mao and The National Resistance Movement-NRM President Yoweri Museveni signing cooperation pact at State House, Entebbe.

The relationship between Mr. Norbert Mao and President Yoweri Museveni began back in February 2010 when six political parties signed an MOU to establish the multiparty forum known as the Interparty Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD).

Since, the two has been seen at public events rubbing shoulders which made many in the opposition to think he was working for President Museveni that has eventually to come out to be true.

In the current deal, on the basis of respect for each other's sovereignty and independence as well as shared interests, the two parties resolved to deepen and strengthen their already positive and long-lasting working relationships in the fields of political dialogue, justice, the rule of law, and constitutionalism.

In exchange for another DP leader being nominated to a subordinate cabinet position, it was decided that Norbert Mao, the DP president, would be appointed Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.

For the avoidance of ambiguity, it is expressly agreed in this agreement that these ministers will keep their positions until the end of the 11th Parliament or until the expiration of this agreement, whichever comes first.

According to the deal, as Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Mao will be the lead minister for coordinating the national dialogue and the whole of government response on constitutional reforms with the mandate to coordinate budget proposals in the justice law and order sector.

According to the agreement, DP must also suggest four candidates from the opposing party for positions in governmental departments, statutory bodies, and agencies.

The ministerial and other public sector positions that are made available to DP must take into account the areas where the opposition party's knowledge can benefit the current NRM administration.

The National Resistance Movement will also support the appointment of a member of the Democratic Party to the position of head of a standing committee and another member of the Democratic Party to the position of deputy chair of another committee.

The new agreement requires Mao and any other Democratic Party members selected to the cabinet to uphold collective responsibility as part of the cabinet norms.

In order to carry out their ministerial duties, Democratic Party ministers "commit to be bound by the cabinet rules, and in particular, agree to be bound by the articles on behavior, public duty, and personal interests of ministers," according to the agreement.

"Democracy Party ministers consent to be held accountable for their ministerial positions collectively.

They will speak on behalf of the government and represent the government's viewpoint with regard to those responsibilities when discussing portfolio responsibilities.”

According to this rule, Mao will be required to go by what cabinet decides and will no longer be free to communicate his own positions that are divergent from what cabinet has decided.

Mao replaces Muruli Mukasa, the Public Service minister who was appointed acting Justice minister earlier this year.

He will join Beti Kamya who also abandoned her party to join Museveni's cabinet, where she currently works as Inspectorate General of Government (IGG).

Following the signing of the collaboration agreement, Museveni praised Mao for promising to work on getting the DP to cooperate with the NRM.

He said that this was something that ought to have been handled at the highest administrative level a long time ago. 

"The past is familiar to you, because I was a very active member of DP, I keep reminding you that the organization is not serious without Museveni "Museveni declared adding that he was thrilled with this accomplishment.

DP, he claimed, has been polite and non-destructive even if it has been backing the opposition.

On behalf of his party, Mao expressed appreciation for the "milestone," noting that it was the culmination of a long journey that began before some of them were even born.

He informed Museveni that he now has the historic chance to bring together party members who are dispersed throughout Uganda.

Mao asserts that Museveni's agreement will be respected even after his passing.

Mao advised, "You must seek them out wherever they may be among all the political parties and everywhere in Uganda.

He declared that DP is dedicated to upholding the terms of the agreement.

Rigathi Gachagua Loses K Sh 202m to State, Court Says Its Proceeds of Corruption Source: UGC

The Kenya Kwanza Alliance presidential running mate Rigathi Gachagua has been ordered to forfeit KSh 202 million to the government.

In a ruling on Thursday, July 28, High Court judge Esther Maina said the Mathira MP failed to explain how he acquired the wealth from government agencies.

She ruled that the outspoken lawmaker acquired the money from government agencies without supplying any goods or services thus was proceeds of corruption