Residents in Rwamagana District gathered today at Catholic Church Rwamagana Paroisse to benefit from a free public health screening, an initiative aimed at fighting non-communicable diseases and promoting a culture of prevention through early detection.
The outreach, organized by Rwamagana District local authorities in collaboration with St. Theresa Foundation and St. Theresa Polyclinic, focused on screening for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as HIV/AIDS testing and counseling.
Health officials involved in the activity said the initiative aim to improve public health awareness, encourage regular health check-ups, and reduce the burden of diseases that often develop silently without early symptoms.
Speaking to the community, AHAYO Marie Anita, CEO and Managing Director of St. Theresa Foundation, stressed the importance of early screening in saving lives. She reminded residents that many non-communicable diseases can be prevented or well managed if discovered in time.
“Non-communicable diseases are preventable and manageable when detected early. Today’s screening is an important step toward a healthier and more informed community,” she said.
She further encouraged residents to take responsibility for their health by participating in such programs whenever they are available.
“By participating in this screening, we are choosing awareness over neglect and prevention over treatment. Good health begins with knowing our status,” she added.
Medical professionals at the site explained that conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure are often called “silent diseases” because they may not show sign until serious complications develop. This makes regular screening especially important, even for people who feel healthy.
Joseph Bizimana, a resident of Rwamagana District, he shared his testimony about how the screening changed his understanding of his own health.
One of the participants, Joseph Bizimana, a resident of Rwamagana District, shared his experience after taking part in the screening.
“I was tested while I felt healthy and discovered that I had diabetes without knowing it. Non-communicable diseases can be silent, but when they are detected early, they can be treated and controlled,” he said.
Another resident stressed that feeling healthy does not always mean that you don’t have any disease
“Not having sign of disease does not mean you are healthy. Screening is important because non-communicable diseases are silent killers,” she said.
He added that regular testing is a key step in preventing serious health complications.
“Screening is the first step toward avoiding the severe effects of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes,” she said.
Several participants said the initiative helped them understand the value of early diagnosis and the importance of preventive healthcare.
As the screening Activity concluded, health officials reminder that early detection can save lives. Organizers expressed hope that similar initiatives will continue, helping to build a healthier, more informed community where people take responsibility for their health before illness .
