There were ups and downs last year, and there will be the same scale this year. There are things that stood out in the health sector both in the country and globally (with effect felt locally). We look back and see what readers, health professionals and others remember about 2014 in the health sector and what they would want to see achieved this year.

Dr Fidel Rubagumya, Butaro Cancer Centre

What stood out for me in 2014 was the fact that the National Reference Laboratory acquired a five-star status of accreditation. There were strong measures to contain Ebola, also there were many campaigns to raise awareness of cancer. Big revolutions happened, for example some of the district hospitals became provincial hospital, Rwanda hosted 2014 international HIV research conference, Rwanda was also named the best place for kids to be born in East Africa as under five mortality rate dropped further. What I want to see achieved in 2015 is the government keeping the same pace of hard work and development in the health sector. As someone who takes care of cancer patients, I want to see every referral hospital giving the same cancer care as Butaro and more cancer awareness campaigns taking place. I also want to see more people doing medical checkups not because they are sick. I want our referral hospitals acquiring international status.

Jacobs O Seaman, health editor, The New Times

The Ministry of Health, last year, launched a countrywide campaign to raise awareness about obstetric fistula. Given the nightmare this avoidable medical condition causes women, it was the right move that should be continued. No woman should be leaking like that and be shunned by society because of the subsequent smell when attending antenatal care would help avoid fistula. Also, the fight against malnutrition countrywide and how the government managed to meet Millennium Development Goal 5 (of reducing the number of women who die during pregnancy, or shortly after giving birth, by three-quarters). Target Five A of MDGs seeks to reduce by three quarters, between 2000 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio on maternal and neonatal. The government has also made significant strides toward achieving Goal Six of combating HIV/Aids and malaria, where death from malaria has dropped significantly.

Fast-forward, I dream of the day health insurance in Rwanda would cover medical bills 100 per cent, except when they exceed the limit for particular diagnosis. For instance, for dental visit, the insurance could, say, guarantee up to Rwf25,000 of service, per year, whereupon one would only pay if they exceeded that ceiling. Also, the consultation fee and others would be done away with and catered for in the insurance.

Brianna Mutaganzwa

What stood out for me in 2014 was the depression factor. People are so much consumed with a lot going on in their lives, so much to do against the limited resources. This causes stress for us all because of the endless responsibilities. What I wish to see done this year by the medical providers is to provide awareness to people on the damage they are causing to their health by working without rest and not finding time to relax their bodies. People should know that relaxing isn’t a luxury but rather a remedy for a healthy mind and body.

Henry Malumba, a student at College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda

What stood out for me in 2014 was the issue of wrong prescription of drugs by medical doctors to patients. The minister did a very noble thing by suspending health professionals, including some from Kabgayi District Hospital, for their failure to observe medical ethics and failure to perform their duties.

What I would like to see done in 2015 is the reduction in the number of misuse, abuse or overdose of medical prescription.

Dr Alphonse Butoyi, an obstetric gynaecologist at Hopital Sud de la Croix

What stood out is the achievements in maternal and child health in terms of lowering mortality rate. What I would like to see achieved in 2015 is the sustainability of health professionals in terms of CME and economically, then involvement of insurances in our daily practice. This is because there is some interference in decision making when dealing with diagnosis and treatment. Otherwise, let’s keep on moving forward in the same way.

Solomon Asaba, health writer, The New Times

Last year the biggest stumbling block in the health sector around the world was Ebola in West Africa, where 0ver 7000 people succumbed to death unfortunately the figure included health workers and professionals Rwanda, Uganda and so many other countries had sent doctors to help out. Health professionals who died included Dr. Abraham Borbor from West Africa, Mercel Rudahigwa from Rwanda and Dr. Sam Mutooro from Uganda. Luckily enough there were several efforts by the ministry of health which included quarantine, new hospitals and a simulation model for evacuating patients from the airportHealth Minister Agnes Binagwaho confirmed the countries safety towards Ebola. I want more efforts to be put in the fight against cancer. Very few hospitals have adequate machinery, mammograms for testing cancer.

Ronald Mutabazi, a student at the University of Rwanda

Health is one of the most important sectors that the government has to critically look at, that is to say, putting the right leaders and allocating enough resources for it. What stood out for me last year was the fact that the Minister for Health, Dr Agnes Binagwaho, weeded out unqualified doctors in Kabgayi Hospital. The ministry also gave out free vaccination for cervical cancer to young girls. The government allocated enough resources to provide free mosquito nets countrywide. Not forgetting the community health insurance, commonly known as Mutuelle de Sante, which was and will always be a good project.

What I would like to see achieved in 2015 is the improvement in the services provided by Mutuelle, for example, reduce time interval for receiving health insurance because they tend to delay. Also, building more health facilities would be great.

Vincent Sekanyambo, a student at the University of Rwanda

The past year had plenty of health issues. HIV/Aids hasn’t been eliminated but at least much efforts are being put in. For example, in Rwanda, HIV medications are more widely available than ever, and many countries are meeting their Millennium Development Goals though there is still a lot of challenges ahead.

I would like to see the issue of cancer, all types of cancer, being focused on so that prevalence of the deadly disease is at least decreased. Cancer claims a lot of lives, so I will be glad if more measures are put in place, especially for early detection, since the disease almost has no cure.

Ivan Ngoboka, journalist, The New Times

What stood out for me in the health sector was the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa and how Rwanda put in place preventive measures. The Ministry of Health has put a lot of effort in fighting malnutrition, seeing it reduce over the years. For instance, in 2010, acute malnutrition stood at 3 per cent, but as of April 2014, it had gone down to 0.8 per cent. In 2015, I would like to see the government put in more effort since stunted growth is still high, standing at 44 per cent, way above WHO’s minimum target of 20 per cent.

Rafak Nara

What stood out for me was the issue of the new development in taking care of babies born prematurely. The new method of the kangaroo mothercare is amazing; it’s natural and good for the bond of the mother and the child.

What I would like to see achieved for this year is more care for the expectant mothers and their babies so that the burden of premature babies is eliminated.

Yves Prince

In 2014, the incredible milestone in the fight against malaria stood out for me. The 2014 World Malaria Report showed that the number of children who die from malaria each year had fallen more than 50 per cent. What I would like to see achieved this year is the continued fight against malaria so that even more lives are saved.

Mariam Tamal

The fight against malnutrition captured my attention in 2014. It was a great step toward the wellbeing of Rwandans, especially the children. The Ministry of Health launched a campaign of "1000 Days” to fight against malnutrition right from pregnancy through to the first two years of a child’s life, that’s a great step towards a healthy Rwanda. I would like to see the health sector focus on disabled people; disability should be seen as a health issue.