Mrs. Jeannette Kagame is the first to receive this responsibility given in recognition of her role in improving lives.
She thanked UNAIDS for the confidence it has in her by appointing her Ambassador of a department (Adolescent Health and Wellbeing) that cares for health worldwide.
“It is my great honor to share this moment with you today. To be named Special Ambassador of Adolescent Health and Well-being, by an institution committed to seeing healthier communities around the world,” she said.
"This is something that I cannot take lightly - and for that, I am humbled and sincerely grateful. This recognition goes beyond highlighting my efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Rwanda, and ensuring the health and well-being of our adolescents,” she added.
Mrs. Jeannette Kagame explained that the journey she embarked on, along with her team, since 2001, was one rooted in the conviction to see all Rwandans educated and living a dignified and prosperous life. She said she believed that it was what they deserved.
"Indeed, through this journey, we have witnessed a tremendous positive change. This is reflected in the lives of hundreds of thousands of our people, as they grow more knowledgeable about their health; but also, demand better quality services, while holding their leaders accountable," the First Lady said.
Mrs. Jeannette Kagame said that the step achieved is based on the vision of the Government of Rwanda but noted that the journey is continuing.
"This being said, however, we cannot sit back with the satisfaction that the worst is behind us. As the face of HIV/AIDS continues to change, we must remain vigilant, in order to respond to emerging challenges, in a timely manner,” she said.
She thanked partners including AVEGA, Solace Ministries, Rwanda Women Network and others.
"We share this recognition. Let’s continue the commitment to eradicate HIV/AIDS so that our children can live and grow well, "she said.
She promised to continue the commitment such that HIV/AIDS will have been completely eradicated by 2030.
Rwanda surpassed the target 90-90-90 in 2020 set by UNAIDS and achieved 95-95-95, where it targets that 95% of HIV-positive people will be aware of it, and 95% of them taking ARVs, and 95% of the virus so weakened in the body and cannot be passed on.
Minister of Health, Dr. Diane Gashumba said that "Mrs. Jeannette Kagame has contributed to the fight against AIDS, especially in women by striving for HIV contamination-free century in Rwanda.”
UNAIDS Director General, Michel Sidibé, pointed out that Rwanda made a significant step towards the fight against AIDS but that it should not make people slow down on the fight against HIV/AIDS.
"Recently, we marked 30 years of the fight against AIDS. It is a time of mutual consultation and commitment. In recent years, people did not understand it and even said that it was expensive and should not be politically justified. Through your own will, we may say we got out of critical times, we have confidence,” he said.
He appreciated the role of Mrs. Jeannette Kagame in dealing with AIDS.
He said that in less than 10 years, Rwanda has doubled the number of people on HIV treatment and that since 2010, AIDS-related deaths are down by almost 50% while mother to child transmission rate is 1.5%- on the way to ensuring no baby is born with HIV.
Moreover, he said that Rwanda knows all about the power of HIV testing because more than 90% of healthcare facilities provide it, and between July 2017 and June 2018, more than 2.5 million people accessed HIV testing services.
He appreciated the role of Mrs. Jeannette Kagame at the launch of the Organization of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA).
"She’s a loving parent to others. I will always remember that I had the opportunity to get acquainted with someone who has the heart of doing well to others, the people of Rwanda and the world. It’s someone who wants to build a bridge connecting people instead of setting up a separating wall,” he said.
Over the past seven years, the number of people succumbing to AIDS in Rwanda fell off from 6000 in 2010 to 3100 in 2017. The number of patients on HIV treatment rose from 89,000 to 186,000. New HIV contamination prevalence fell off from 9300 down to 7400 people.
Meanwhile, HIV/AIDS prevalence was 210,000 people in 2010 and 220,000 in 2017.