Forty-five women in Nyamirambo suburb of the City of Kigali received a special present on the International Women’s Day yesterday when an organisation offered them free healthcare services for a whole year.

Members of the Nyamirambo Women’s Centre, an organisation that brings together women who are involved in tailoring, handcrafts and literacy education, received the support (free consultation and treatment) from Babyl, an international firm that provides digital healthcare service.

The company provides access to doctors through mobile phones. The support will allow the women to access nurses and doctors for non-emergency medical cases through digital healthcare service via USSD or mobile phones.

This means they won’t need to take time off their work to go to health facilities all the time as they can contact nurses through their mobile phones and book an appointment.

This will save them time and instead use that time to develop themselves, according to Tracey McNeil, the chief executive of Babyl Rwanda.

"We know that if women can access timely and affordable healthcare, they can work, become active participants in economic activity, support themselves and their families and improve their livelihoods,” she said.

McNeil added: "Today is a day to recognise women globally. It’s is a special day for women and we wanted to celebrate with these women and to recognise the amazing work they do.”

Marie Aime Umugeni, the head of the women’s group, hailed the support. "It is a boost to our work since we will be working without fear of illness. This will help us save time because when we fall ill, there will be no need to move; we will simply call, get consulted and carry on with our work”.

"I would recommend everyone to join this service. Time is very precious and this service saves time because you don’t need to queue at the hospital,” said Francoise Mukakarangwa, one of the women.

Women across the country were also given free consultations on the International Women’s Day while Babyl also opened a booth in downtown Kigali where women can do consultation with Babyl doctors via video for a week, free of charge.

Babyl opened shop in Rwanda in July last year and works with a team of nurses and doctors as well as pharmacies.

Over 300,000 users have since subscribed for the digital healthcare service.

"We have been amazed at how Rwandans have embraced technology,” McNeil said.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw