With the use of phones and the Internet, HIV/AIDS programs can now be managed and coordinated countrywide through an innovative technology called TRACnet and led by the Treatment and Research Aids Center (TRAC).TRACnet is an electronic information system that allows people involved in anti-retroviral treatment programs to electronically submit reports and have timely access to vital information.

The system is playing a critical role in the implementation of Rwanda 's HIV/AIDS initiative. Just by dialing 3456, a toll free number, or by logging onto the Internet, health center staffers can submit program reports on HIV patients, access laboratory blood results and also alert concerned authorities on the situation of ARV drugs’ stock.Building on Rwanda’s rapidly growing mobile phone network, those in the countryside do not need to worry about electricity, computers or Internet connection in the national drive to improve the care given to people living with HIV/AIDS.

The project, which aims to reach all the provinces in the country, will involve all clinics countrywide that offer anti-retroviral treatment, (ART). According to Eddie Kariisa, the TRACnet project manager, twenty five clinics have been trained on using the system, and health personnel from 23 clinics have proven to be excellent and reliable users. Before the introduction of TRACnet, clinics in remote areas would send blood samples for tests and it would take up to a month for the patients to get back their results since the clinics are located far from the laboratories.

In addition, it was difficult to get timely information on whether a health clinic had enough stock of its ARV medications. The three major institutions involved in the project are the National Reference Laboratory that provides results of blood tests, CAMERWA, the pharmaceutical company that checks the shortages and stocks of anti-retroviral drugs and TRAC, (Treatment and Research Aids Center), which monitors and supervises clinics that provide anti-retroviral treatment in Rwanda.

Rwanda is among the first countries in the world to use this cutting edge technology. The project has been supported through the Protection and Care of Families against HIV/AIDS initiative, (PACFA) , the US-based Center for Disease Control, Voxiva Inc., and Columbia University.

On March 31, 2005, the Minister of Health, Dr Damascène Ntawukuliryayo, hosted an official reception for medical volunteers who will work in Rwandan hospitals and health centres. Under bilateral cooperation, Rwanda will benefit this year from medical volunteers from Cuba, Egypt, Germany, and Nigeria.The official reception was attended by senior officials in the Ministry of Health, medical volunteers, and representatives from the Egyptian, German and South African embassies.

Dr Ntawukuliryayo warmly thanked everyone who played a role in bringing the medical volunteers to Rwanda. “On behalf of our government, I would like to thank everyone involved in the success of this operation. I hope it will improve the care we give to our people in the different hospitals where the doctors are posted,” the Minister of Health indicated. The South African embassy was thanked and recognized for their financial contribution towards the Cuban mission in Rwanda.

"We will work with Rwandan doctors to improve the health of the people. The place is quiet; the people are warm; all my compatriots are very happy," commented Cuban coordinator Dr. Jorge Zaldivar.

Visit the MOH Website ( www.moh.gov.rw) for the event pictures

Rwanda has joined the International Society of Nephrology, (ISN), and one of the major benefits from this joint venture is to have the first kidney-disease treatment service in its referral hospitals of King Faisal, Kigali University Hospital and the Butare University Hospital.

University professors in Nephrology from Canada, South Africa and the United Kingdom visited Rwanda in early March to discuss prevention and treatment measures for kidney- related diseases and infections. The kidney specialists, also members of INS, discussed training programs relating to kidney ailments to benefit Rwandan doctors and nurses.

“The International Society of Nephrology has been providing training in nephrology in several African states and Rwanda is also to benefit,” indicated Canadian Prof. John Dirks at a conference March 8 in Kigali during the specialists’ one week visit to Rwanda.

Established in 1960, the International Society of Nephrology , a prominent global organization in chronic kidney diseases has pursued advancement of education, science and patient care in kidney-related problems in 77 member countries.

“Currently we don’t have any kidney specialists or the proper facilities. The patients are there, but they are transferred to South Africa or Nairobi. Establishing kidney services will save money that is spent on patients and their families when they are transferred to hospitals out of the country.” noted Dr. Claude Sekabaraga, director of the Health Care Unit at the Ministry of Health.

On March 14, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between representatives of the Ministry of Health and Partners in Health.Partners in Health, a nonprofit organization led by Dr. Paul Farmer and Ophelia Dahl, soon will assist the Ministry of Health in achieving community-based, comprehensive HIV care and treatment in two Rwandan rural sites. The districts identified are Kirehe and Rwinkwavu in Kibungo Province.

Partners in Health will work under the auspices of the Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative and will support the Ministry of Health in developing a model of community-based care and treatment that can be expanded to other sites in the country. The nonprofit organization also will assist the Ministry of Health’s Treatment and Research AIDS Center, (TRAC), at the national level as requested, including in training of health professionals and the development of policies and guidelines.

Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Partners in Health has been involved in innovative health projects for more than 20 years in Haiti, Peru, Russia and Boston.