Kigali, 22 May 2019

Rwanda Defence Force Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Patrick Nyamvumba today presided over the closing ceremony of the seventh African Partner Outbreak Response Alliance (APORA) key leader conference.

In his remarks, Gen Nyamvumba reminded participants that Rwanda being a neighbor to the Democratic Republic of Congo where people are experience the outbreak of the Ebola disease, it remains on high alert adding that alliances such as APORA is important to the country both in the field of healthcare but also recognizing that all members share common interests.

“This conference will serve to continue developing the African Partner Outbreak Response Alliance strategic vision while also enhancing cooperative efforts among all nations. Our military by virtue of their nationwide scope, their heavy duty and critical missions have a vested interest in managing and responding to infectious disease outbreaks mainly through our Rwanda Military Hospital,” said Gen Nyamvumba.

The CDS also noted that having this seventh APORA conference in Kigali will help Rwanda cement lasting partnerships, adding that the alliance has been designed to share best practices among partner nations in order to contain emerging diseases.

Hosted by Rwanda Defence Force (RDF); through Rwanda Military Hospital and in partnership with the United States Air Forces Africa, the seventh African Partner Outbreak Response Alliance (APORA) conference opened on Monday and participants will tour a Treatment Center simulation in Rubavu district on Thursday.