GBV, VAC victims urged to attend to hospital early

DODOMA: VICTIMS of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Violence Against Children (VAC) have been urged to attend to health facilities within 72 hours after a GBV or VAC criminal incident in order to keep evidence to facilitate the case.

Dr Elias Kigosi, one of members of the anti- GBV and VAC team from the Benjamin Mkapa Hospital, noted over the weekend that health facilities have established gender desks to address such cases.

“The gender desks are responsible to facilitate cases while victims of GBV and VAC get access to medical services,” he said while speaking to clients of the Benjamin Mkapa Hospital (BMH) during 16 Days of Activism.

BMH has joined hands with the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) to fight GBV and VAC during 16 Days of Activism. This year’s 16 Days of Activism goes under the theme, Unite Activism to end violence against women and girls.

Acting Executive Director of the BMH, Dr Kessy Shija, noted here over the weekend that it was vital for all community members to join hands to fight GBV in order to control the misconduct in the country.

“We have joined with NIC to fight GBV and VAC. It is vital for all community members to join hands to fight the GBV,” said acting Executive Director while speaking to a special team of the BMH formed to fight GBV and VAC.

Dr Shija expressed gratitude to NIC for supporting BMH to fight GBV and that other corporations should emulate the example set by NIC.

On his side, Mr Billo Kapinga, Insurance Officer from NIC, said the corporation decided to team up with BMH in order to fight GBV because BMH receives cases of GBV, saying it is easier to control GBV if all community members join hands.

“We are thankful to BMH for joining us to fight GBV because if we join hands with all community members to fight GBV we can curb the problem in the country,” said the Insurance Officer from NIC.