WESTERN PROVINCE

A research that was carried out in 2005 by the Ministry of Health , has revealed that out of every 10,000 expectant Rwandan mothers, 750 die while giving birth on a daily basis.

According to this research, this was interpreted to mean that the country loses at least 10 parents while they are giving birth.

Another research that was made in 2008 shows that 62 per cent of every 100 Rwandan children die before they are one year old and about 10 per cent of every 100 don’t live to their fifth year of age.

It was upon the basis of the above research that Karongi like many other districts organised a family planning week dubbed ‘The Mother and Child Health Week’.

The week that ended last week was meant for caring for lives of parents and there children as well.

"This week was dedicated to primary school children as well, below 17 years,” said Dr. Cyrille Dusengimana the Director of Kibuye hospital.

He said that the immunization already was meant for kids from 6 months to 16 years.

Pregnant women were also checked up and immunized against tetanus.

"This is an advantage to the rest of the children the immunized women will bear.

They will not be infected with tetanus even if the mothers haven’t come for immunization again,” said Dusengimana.

"The major aim for this was preventing infant diseases, fighting the outcomes of lacking vitamin A among kids, fighting worms, emphasizing family planning, emphasizing breast feeding and fighting malaria,” said Cyrille Dusengimana.

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