Despite some fears, Kigali City dwellers want COVID 19 mass testing extend to more categories

By Iradukunda Isabelle Elisabeth

Citizens in Kigali City have said extending COVID 19 mass testing to more categories is a priority since they have to know their Health status and that will bring hope for Lockdown removal after the city have the clear picture of the virus among its population.

The City of Kigali in collaboration with the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) are conducting massive Corona Virus Test among the population in all cells in the City of Kigali with a view to assessing the status of the epidemic in the city and assisting the infected with early treatment services.

However, the free service is being rendered to persons with 70-years-old and above and those with illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, AIDS and other chronic health problems.

Other people also get tested in nearby hospitals after paying for the service. It is known that one COVID 19 test costs Rwf 10,000 in various hospitals. Some city dwellers say that getting tested as done the above mentioned categories would be good since it can allow the city to have the real data of COVID 19.

The infected person is immediately requested to self-isolate as well as to follow the instructions given by the health authorities while at the same time receiving treatment services in nearby Health Centre.

Some fear to get tested

In the meantime, there are still those who are afraid to test for COVID 19 arguing that when they are tested positive they can despair while others say the Test method is harmful but in reality those who have been already tested confirm that it is not the case and that is unfounded.

On Sunday 24 January, 2021, our reporter visited Karugira Cell, Kigarama Sector in Kicukiro District where they started the voluntary COVID 19 testing service.

The service has also been provided in other parts of Kigali city.

The beneficiaries of this Free of Charge Service are happy that the service has been brought closer to them and encouraging their colleagues to get tested as it helps them determine their health status and further strengthen their prevention and protection measures.

Get Test to save yourself and others

MUNYANKUMBURWA Ramadhan, one of those who have been tested on Sunday and found that his health is stable and free from infection, says that testing for the coronavirus virus is important because it makes him aware of his health status and thus better prevents himself from contracting the virus.

He adds that when he found out that he was infected he would immediately also start protecting his family.

MUNYANKUMBURWA says, “I left home and came for a COVID 19 test to find out how my health stands. I was always embarrassed and felt that I might have a disease that would kill me because I didn’t know my health status”

“COVID-19 testing is good because it allows me to know where my health is and if I find myself infected I would immediately start treatment and follow the doctor’s advice early on and protect myself and my family,” he explains.

MUKAMANA Josiane, a mother of two children, asserts that coming for a test is important since it is one of the way to contain the spread of COVID 19.

She encourages those who have fear to come and get tested and find out where their lives are and thus help them to protect themselves and their families.

Josiane says: “I myself decide to come for a test and nothing harmful I have experiences as some of the people are arguing that the method is harmful. Nothing can be achieved without sweating, so those who are afraid I would advise them to come and get tested and find out where their health is. Those who refuse to take the test can put their families at risk. ”

“Corona virus is a global epidemic, so I have to get tested to find out how I stand in life, and if I get infected I will accept it because I would know how to stand up and start treatment immediately following the doctor’s advice so I can recover without further infecting others and my family” she added.

Despite some fears, attendance is high

The Executive Secretary of Karugira Cell where the event was held on Sunday, NDIKUMWAMI Ezechiel says that the participation of those who want to get tested for the epidemic is high and confirms that one day given to them in the Cell is not enough compare to those who wish to get the tested.

In an interview with TOPAFRICANEWS, he said: “The participation of those who want to get tested is exciting, the number of participants is high even though we have not reached 100 per cent but they keep coming,”

“At the Cell level we had a list of 125 people to be tested and now from 14h10 – 16h, 108 have been tested out of which 7 have been found to be COVID 19 positive including 3 adults and 4 young.”

A person who has been diagnosed with COVID 19 is advised by a physician to go for treatment and follow preventive measures and is required to comply with them so that he/she does not infect others in the family.

Neighbors and family members are required to come for a check-up so that they too can quickly find out if they are free from the virus or positive.

The cell we visited is one of the 5 Cells in Kigarama Sector of Kicukiro District where the event was held.

Testing is voluntary, however those people 70 years old and above, those with specific ailments such as Diabetes and others mentioned above, are required to join the free testing service as part of measures to assess the status of the epidemic among city duellers

The service was scheduled to take place one day in each cell but citizens and local leaders finds that one day is not enough.