In a bid to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS, staff members of Rwanda Energy, water and Sanitation Authority EWSA (ex.RECO&RWASCO) yesterday engaged in voluntary counselling and testing for HIV/AIDS at their head office.

The voluntary counselling and testing session was organised by the corporations' medical service in conjunction with GTZ and National AIDS Commission (CNLS).

Speaking at the event, Antoine Semukanya, the deputy Executive Secretary of the National Aids Commission (CNLS), hailed the staff members for turning up in big numbers. "It is very vital for a person to know his or her HIV/AIDS status when it's still early" he advised. He said that there is a high rate of HIV prevalence amongst cohabiting couples and the youths between the ages of 15 and 39.

"To date voluntary counselling and testing has helped people know their HIV status and this has helped in preventing the further spread of AIDS scourge" he noted. 

According to Yves Muyange, the Managing Director of EWSA(ex.RWASCO&RECO), the main aim of the voluntary counselling and testing of HIV/AIDS was to encourage members of staff to know their status and those found positive will receive treatment and counselling.

Over 1,800 staff members of EWSA(ex.RWASCO&RECO) country wide are expected to participate in voluntary HIV/AIDS testing and counselling which will run for two weeks.