Access to healthcare could soon improve in Kirehe District following the unveiling of four health posts.

The health facilities, inaugurated last week, were constructed at a cost of Rwf55 million support from Partners in Health (PIH).

Kirehe residents provided manpower.

At the inauguration ceremony, Jean Damascene Kayiranga, the district director of health, said the new health posts would benefit thousands of residents.

"This is going to allow medical staff here to be able to offer the very best service they can in a very timely manner, unlike previously when it was not possible,” he said.

The five health posts are located in Mahama, Gatore, Kigina, Kigarama and Mushikiri sectors, where at least 40,928 people are in need of health facilities.

Delivering primary healthcare

Mayor Gerald Muzungu commended the efforts of all who partnered to build the health posts.

"The vision of these health facilities is a new means to effectively deliver primary healthcare to our community. I think this speaks to the partnership that we have with PIH. The involvement of residents is a demonstration of their commitment to health care,” he said.

"I want to appreciate PIH and government for their commitment to our community. Primary healthcare is in high demand in the rural community. Without their support we wouldn't be standing here today celebrating this exciting feat.”

Meanwhile, residents were happy to get the facilities near to their homes, as they used to walk several kilometres to reach Kirehe District Hospital.

"In Kigana sector we walked over 10 kilometres to go to Kirehe sector where we could access health services.

This led to unnecessary suffering and sometimes death as we delayed to get medication, particularly for expectant mothers and critical ill persons,” said Nipomscene Ndayamabaje, a resident.

The construction of the health posts is part of a broader plan to have at least one post per cell by 2017, when a total number of 1,548 new health posts will be set up.

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