The Government of Rwanda and the Kingdom of Belgium, yesterday, signed financing agreements, worth €35.5 million (approximately Rwf28.5 billion), to support healthcare and decentralisation programmes in Rwanda.

Part of the package will help improve the quality of primary healthcare and health services, dubbed "Ubuzima Burambye,” for the next four years; it is estimated to cost €21 million (about Rwf17billion).

According to Claver Gatete, the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, the ‘‘people-centered projects’’ will provide integrated and sustainable health care system with quality essential healthcare services.

"The two financing agreements are intended to enhance capacity of districts to deliver services and to create an enabling environment for local economic development in respect of best governance practice and will also improve health services of the Rwandan population through preventive measures,” Gatete said after the signing ceremony held at the ministry.

It will also help in the rehabilitation of healthcare thereby contributing to the reduction of poverty and enhancing the general well-being of the population, he added.

New district hospital

 Among the key projects to be financed include the construction of a new fully equipped hospital in Nyamirambo, Nyarugenge District which is expected to be operational in the next three years.

More resources will be invested in accreditation, research and data collection, especially on mental health programmes, State minister for public health and primary healthcare, Dr Patrick Ndimubanzi, noted.

Meanwhile, the second agreement, worth €14.5 million (about Rwf12 billion), will go to decentralisation programmes under the District Development Plans (DDP).

The country’s secondary cities will be given priority, Letitia Nkunda, the director-general of Local Administrative Entities Development Agency, said.

The districts include Musanze, Nyagatare, Rusizi, Muhanga, Bugesera and Huye.

They are expected to be the pillars of urbanisation and, therefore, play a critical role in poverty reduction as indicated in government’s second economic development and poverty reduction strategy (EDPRS2).

Innovative partnerships

The deal, signed yesterday, will support the implementation of innovative economic partnerships, including establishing a facility that will support small and medium entrepreneurs and cooperatives at the district level.

Arnout Pauwels, the Belgian Ambassador to Rwanda, reaffirmed continued support from his government.

 "A lot of work and effort has been put in the preparation of these projects which, for the first time, will almost fully rely on the use of national public finance management systems. ”

In alignment with the agreed Division of Labour in Rwanda, Belgium concentrates its activities within the framework of Indicative Cooperation Programme for the Rwandan-Belgian development cooperation in health, energy and decentralisation sectors, he added.