The University of Rwanda 5S team in collaboration with the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), delivered a training programme to health workers, health worker officers, heads of health centres, Heart And Soul Africa (HASA) members, health reporters, patients, and their caregivers.
The training aimed to equip participants with skills and knowledge to raise awareness and advocate to end the stigma experienced by podoconiosis and scabies patients in their respective areas of work.
Furthermore, the trained participants accepted in principle to spearhead the anti-stigma task force and be ambassadors of social behaviour change to eradicate stigma affecting people with skin conditions in Rwanda.
Renewed commitment to reduce stigma at treatment centres
In addition, the trained heads of health centres renewed their commitment to treat, give care, counselling and guidance, and advocate and educate podoconiosis patients in their respective health centres.
The training workshop also broadened the knowledge and understanding of participants about podoconiosis and scabies, with a focus on understanding the causes, prevention, self-care, stigma and management.
Finally, the trained participants committed to sensitising and working closely with the communities, local authorities and families of the affected patients to assist them.
News coverage from the event
Thanks to the participation of reporters the event achieved national coverage on the media, you can watch an interview (in Kinyarwanda) with 5S PhD student Jean-Paul Bikorimana and others from 3.45 to 6.51:
Another national news piece on the work, including interviews with patients, health workers, RBC and 5S PhD student Jean-Paul Bikorimana, from 12.40 to 16.49:
