Rwanda has been reducing maternal mortality rate since 2000, the State Minister for Health, Dr. Patrick Ndimubanzi said at the launch of a new maternity in Munyiginya sector, Rwamagana District.

Ndimubanzi said that Rwanda remains on track to achieve vision 2020 targets on maternal health.

The Rwf 59 million maternity ward was built with support from ENALYNX, a British charity.Ndimubanzi said intensified maternal health campaigns provided information about, and increased awareness of, maternal issues in the country.

He said that the country would reduce maternal mortality rate to 220 per year, by 2018.

 "In the year 2000, the rate was at 1.071; in 2010 it was 476 deaths per year, while this year the mortality rate stands at 268. We foresee the reduction to go to 220 per year by 2018,” he said.

"The new maternity is an important infrastructure that will help us meet our vision 2020 on health matters. At least 643 mothers will benefit from the services of this maternity every year…this is an important step”.

Residents said that the facility was timely. Jeanine Mukarugina, 48, a mother of 10, said expecting mothers would be saved from walking long distances to access services.

"I gave birth to 8 children in my house…it was tough as I had no medical help. Only 2 of my children gave me the experience of health care services. So, I am happy my children don’t have to go through my experience,” she said.

Beatrice Mukamunyana, 56, a Community Health Worker in the area said families would benefit from the services brought closer to them.

"It will serve in a number of ways…we health workers were burdened especially when escorting a mother in a distance of 40 kilometers to Rwamagana hospital. It was chaotic as some mothers gave birth on the way, leaving either mothers or babies dead,” she said.

The main challenge faced by the unit is inadequate personnel, including lack of a single gynecologist in the Eastern Province.