Over 400 fishermen of Karongi have been trained and know that the condom is a weapon to avoid HIV/AIDS, according to Vincent Mwizerimana, vice-president of the Union of Fishing Cooperatives of Karongi district

“We test 400 fishermen for HIV/AIDS the survey of infected people can showed that between 10 and 20 people turned positive and we encouraged them to start taking medication as well as asking them to be open about their status while advising others on measures of prevention. ”he says.

Mwizerimana 56 years now and who has been a fisherman for about 30 years, says life on the lake is not that easy since their work majority is done in the night and when they come back in the morning exhausted others find solace of care towards the prostitutes.

Upon a fact find mission organized by ABASIRWA (Rwanda Media Network Against HIV/AIDS and for Health Promotion (ABASIRWA), Rwanda Dispatch with other media houses were able to interact with PSF representatives and president of Fishermen’s cooperative who narrated on the efforts being carried out to let the fishermen and others in the business know that the disease is still there, and also how they helping those infected with it.

The president of the Union of Fishermen’s Cooperatives, Emmanuel Ndagijimana, confirmed that prevention against HIV/AIDS among fishermen is done in collaboration between the PSF and the Health Centers.

Emmanuel Ndagijimana
“Condoms are available in lodges and we have benefited from training to protect ourselves, especially the youth who have joined the trade, tests are regularly carried out on the site office of the Cooperatives at least once a year. Fishermen tested infected are linked to the Health Center and put on ARVs while also the fish mongers majority women have also sensitized since at the moment they are the ones who sell the caught fish, while the men do the fishing at night,” he said.

He further noted that, “Come November, training and screenings will be organized on site in Karongi, while the big challenge that remains is to convince all fishermen to go for testing which is free.

PSF is doing its best to place condom sale points at the various fishing sites frequented by fishermen.”

Léon-Pierre Rusanganwa, who is in charge of health within the PSF sector in Karongi called upon the youthful members who are the majority the profession to be equipped with condoms in their pocket, just as one carries a stick or an umbrella for defense and protection.

Léon-Pierre Rusanganwa and Mathias Abimana
“You have to carry an umbrella or a stick, because you don’t know when it will rain or when you will encounter a vicious dog or any other danger. Even people who have been exposed to the risk of infection, when the condom has broken during sex or when they have been forced to have sex in some form of abuse, care is provided for a prophylaxis after such exposure. The health centers are equipped with these protective measures”, he said

“Most of the fishermen sleep during the day with women whom they pay in money or in exchange of small “Isambaza” fish for sex. They spend the night fishing and during the day, they rest while others are tempted to having sex with the women however we continue to encourage them to protect themselves, getting tested and taking ARVs in case of HIV/AIDS infection. In Rwanda, it is proven that we have reached 95% in suppressing the disease,” explains Rusanganwa.

PSF is continuing its efforts with other partners in putting condoms in hotels and lodges like thou still facing a challenge most hotels and lodges are owned by clerics and pastors who don’t embrace condoms in their businesses despite the fact that while in 2009 when RBC conducted volunteer testing on religious leaders, 18 % tested positive of HIV/AIDS, they therefore need to understand the urge of letting condoms be placed in their businesses since the wellbeing and health of all of us is a priority.

President of the Private Sector Federation in Western Province, Mathias Abimana said that fishermen have been made aware of the importance of hygiene and the fight against HIV/AIDS. The campaign is aimed at the 13 sectors of the Karongi district and the whole Province.

“Since the fishermen are very mobile we endeavor to carry out awareness campaigns for their protection since they are valuable to the nation, and since there are over 3,000 fishermen in the country operating from 22 lakes, PSF is in contact with them as to enable them carry out their business normally while taking heed of HIV/AIDS virus,” he said.

AE News