Improving the health of Rwandans calls for collaboration between the responsible partners, both private and public domains, as this will help the country to achieve its desired targets.

This call was made by the Minister for Health, Dr Diane Gashumba during the official opening of Legacy Clinics and Diagnostics, an ultra modern health facility based in Kigali.

The private facility, that is located on the Kigali-Kayonza highway, was set up at a cost of $1.5 million (approx Rwf1.2 billion).

Legacy Clinics, whose main vision is leaving a legacy of a commercially viable institution that makes a significant contribution to the Rwandan health sector and generations to come started operations on September 9, but was officially opened on Friday last week.

Gashumba called on the founders of the clinic to align their operations with the country’s vision as this will enable both parties to serve Rwandans better.

She said reducing the rates of death, especially those of infants and expectant mothers, should be among their areas of concern.

"I appreciate the efforts of the Legacy Clinics’ founders; this is an honourable cause, as this initiative will definitely help the government to achieve its goals. What has been done here is in line with the country’s vision,” Gashumba said.

She commended the services provided by the clinic appreciating the quality of equipment and staff which, according to her, was a sure way of improving the health of Rwandans.

"We have seen modern equipment, the doctors are also competent. The laboratory is well equipped and equipments are also good, with this we have trust that the services will be good.”

She called upon the clinic to ensure provision of good health services and quality patient care as this is so essential.

"We also wish you to serve as an example for other hospitals, I really appreciate what Rwandans are doing because it shows that they are willing to cooperate with the government in achieving our goals, we promise you as the Ministry for Health to work with you in all possible ways,” Dr Gashumba added.

Dr Jeanne Nyirahabimana, the Mayor of Kicukiro District, referred to the initiative as a noble act that will help develop the district and the country as a whole.

"With this initiative, residents are yet to benefit, I have no doubt that what is yet to be achieved is a lot and indeed the residents’ welfare is yet to be improved,” Dr Nyirahabimana said.

She said Legacy Clinics as a great addition to the health facilities in the district.

Dr Subira Manzi, the Medical director, Legacy Clinics, said the new facility aims at bringing solutions to problems for which patients needed to travel far, adding that a focus on the deliverance of quality services to patients will be another point to focus on since customer care at any health facility is crucial.

"We are fully aware that we belong to this community and of the role we shall play in the social responsibility. We have already started by being involved in the awareness campaigns to promote sound health among the population and we commit ourselves to continue doing so,” Dr Manzi said.

In the next phase, Legacy Clinics will expand into a much more complete admission facility whose specialities will take into consideration the needs of the population, targeting unavailable services locally and in the region, she said.

The clinic offers services in cardiology, neurology, urology, general medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, orthopaedics, chiropractic and physiotherapy.

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