UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé commended the government of Rwanda for its leadership in the national AIDS response. The country has made significant progress in its HIV response and is on track to meet national and global HIV related goals.
Mr Sidibé began his two-day official visit to the country on 6 May by meeting Jeanette Kagame, First Lady of Rwanda in the country’s capital, Kigali. During this meeting the First Lady discussed the success and challenges that the Imbuto Foundation, an organization she created in 2007, faces in its HIV programming.
Mr Sidibé congratulated the First Lady for her personal commitment towards empowering women and girls.
Mr Sidibé also visited the Isange One Stop Centre located in Kacyiru Police Hospital to see services provided for survivors of gender based violence and child abuse. While at the hospital, Mr Sidibé also learnt about the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission Family Package Programme which was initiated by the First Lady and supported by Imbuto Foundation in collaboration with UN agencies.
We need to innovate. Our success is exciting, yet very fragile. This is where the Development partners can come in and support our work.
Jeanette Kagame, First Lady of the Republic of Rwanda
Thank you for your commitment. Due to your efforts, Rwanda is moving from AIDS to sustainable health. Rwanda is showing impact by not only increasing coverage on ART to 91% but also reducing deaths by 70%.
Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director
