At least 1000 vulnerable people in Kicukiro District received community based health insurance cover commonly known as Mutuelle de Santé, under the Save a Life campaign.

The campaign was organised by Zion Temple youth, Gatenga parish, where Rwf3 million was collected to pay subscriptions.

Floribert Nzabakira, the president of the youth at the parish, said they wanted to help the beneficiaries enjoy the New Yearwith health insurance cover.

 "Many people think of sharing food and beverages with those whom they want to support in festive period.  For us, we found that the best way we can help them enjoy the New Year is to pay health insurance  subscriptions for them. Even as we celebrate, people must have access to health services,” he said on Sunday.

This was during the Pambazuka Christmas Festival to close the campaign and hand over the subscription fees to the district officials.

Bishop Dieudonné Vuningoma, the vice president of Zion Temple, said paying subscription for the beneficiaries is in line with the church’s social responsibilities.

He said, "The church serves the community because it is part of it. We have to ensure that the community affords quality healthcare services so that they can be able to serve the Lord and His people.”

Beneficiaries were selected from the second category of Ubudehe and were identified by local leaders as unable to pay Mutuelle de santé subscriptions for themselves.

Florence Uwayisaba, the vice mayor for social affairs in Kicukiro District, said the gesture was part of broad efforts to ensure self reliance.

"The spirit of our country is that we have to seek solutions among ourselves to address the challenges we face. For us in Kicukiro, about 12 per cent of Mutuelle users have not yet paid up their subscriptions. This is mainly due to lack of financial means or lack of commitment for some people. However, for those who were unable to pay due to poverty, you have now become a solution to them,” she said.