Kibagabaga and Muhima District hospitals have received hand sanitising equipment which will help boost clinical sanitation and hygiene.

The materials were donated by the United States Agency for International Development’s (Usaid) and Mercy, a US-based health system, in partnership  with the Ministry of Health.

The materials, provided through the Usaid Rwanda Family Health Project, include antibacterial soap, soap dispensers, inputs for hand sanitiser, paper towels, and paper towel dispensers.

The materials, handed over on Thursday, will support the Health ministry’s drive to maintain proper hygiene in all health facilities.

Officials from Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City, US have partnered with the Ministry of Health to promote quality health care in Rwanda since 2013.

These interventions include the improvement of hospital hygiene and sanitation practices through training.

"Practicing good hand hygiene is a simple step health care providers at Kibagabaga and Muhima hospitals can take to prevent the spread of infections,” said Dr Donald Rahhal, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Mercy in Oklahoma City.

 "We thank Usaid for funding this project that is positively impacting on our communities.”

As large urban hospitals, both Kibagabaga and Muhima hospitals are key healthcare centres for Rwandans living in Kigali. Last year, the two hospitals received over 70,000 patients and performed over 10,000 surgeries.

Usaid works with both hospitals under its Rwanda Family Health Project to improve access to quality health services in hospitals and health centres in 19 of Rwanda’s 30 districts.

A portion of that support includes work with the Ministry of Health on a community-based environmental health programme, which seeks to empower Rwandans to improve their hygiene and sanitation practices.

"The health sector is Usaid’s largest area of support in Rwanda, and strengthening the system to be able to provide high-quality care is part of that support,” said Rob Cunnane, Usaid Health Office Director.

"We’re glad to have this opportunity to further this work through the donation of these critical supplies, in partnership with Mercy and the Ministry of Health,” Cunnane said.