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Dr. Blaise Karibushi,
Manager for GF Projects, Rwanda.
We have about 85,000 people who
need ARVs here in Rwanda. Noah is eligible for the ARVs, which are about
to arrive. He will be among the first recipients. |
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| Rwanda is Africa's most densely populated country. Although
more than 13% of its adults live with HIV, only 500 of them have
access to antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). Odette is one of them. |
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Odette Mukakabera, Former
President, People Living with HIV, Rwanda
Today I feel well. I
am not sick. I have been taking ARVs since 1999. |
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| Yet Odette's worries are not over. Her son might be infected too. |
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Odette: He is often sick. I can't afford to buy ARVs or have him tested. |
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Extraordinary adversity calls for extraordinary initiatives
and Rwanda has developed an aggressive plan to combat HIV/AIDS. With its
first Global Fund grant, Rwanda will equip 97 health centers to
offer testing, counseling and treatment. And 75% of health
care personnel in the country will be trained in HIV/AIDS care
and support.
Most remarkably, the Fund's grant will provide ARVs for 6,000 Rwandans
by the end of 2004. |
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Dr. Innocent Naruhirira, Minister of State for HIV/AIDS, Rwanda
We've just received the first shipment of ARVs from the Global Fund. Up to now, few people came because we really had very little to offer them.
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| Rwanda's ambitious plan is just the first giant step in the country's fight against HIV/AIDS. |
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Dr. Innocent: This will give people hope.
Odette: I want to have a good job. I want to pay off my debts.
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| Odette has three of her own children and is also raising four children orphaned by the 1994 genocide. Their future depends on her wellbeing today - and tomorrow. |
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Odette: I want to live as long as I can, to give them an education. I want to leave my children in a liveable situation. |
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