Access to maternal health care services in Kirehe District has reached 70 percent, according to health officials.

This was revealed during a ceremony to award the best performing health centres in district last week.

Gashongora Health Centre emerged the overall winner and was awarded a certificate of merit, Rwf1million and a trophy.

Increase in maternal services has been achieved using community mobilisation, education and capacity building and training community health workers.

The program was organized by Partners In Health (PIH) in conjunction with Kirehe Hospital and the district.

Dr. Evard Nahimana, of Kirehe Hospital said that increased access to maternal care services had reduced pregnancy related complications that had been one of the leading causes of deaths and disability among mothers.

Nahimana said the district had made major strides in quality healthcare and patient safety.

"Maternal health services access are at 70%...this is a great achievement. According to World Health Organization (WHO), an expectant mother requires at least between 30-50 minutes to be operated. In Kirehe it takes 54 minutes. We are almost hitting the international standards,” he said.

Nahimana said that the district aims at achieving full attendance of patients in surgery, maternity, neonatology, internal medicine and laboratory.

"Time spent to access service in internal medicine has moved from four and a half hours to three hours and 47 minutes.” He said less than 0.5 percent seeking services left health centers or hospital unattended—a significant reduction from 11 percent.

PIH deputy Executive Director, Antoinette Habinshuti, said that his organisation was committed to building a proper health system with dedicated people to serve the community.

"The manner, in which we have built our health system, makes us prepared for any hazards including the deadly Ebola. PIH will continue to help push health care access to greater heights,” she said.

PIH is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in healthcare.

Protais Murayire, the mayor of the district, said he was happy with the success made by most health centres.

He commended PIH’s contribution to the development of the health sector in the district, adding that cases of malnourished and poorly spaced children should be eradicated from communities.

"I am happy that we can mention such major successes, not only in maternal care, but also in other areas. You cannot talk of development without sound health services,” he said.