Jeanne Nantebuka lives in the 'Mukidaho' area near Kamanyana Health Post in Burera's Cyanika sector. She arrives at the health post at 11 a.m. with her child in the back, for whom she is seeking flue treatment along with her older son. She appears to be familiar with the staff, and she seems at ease, contrary to the usual tension at hospitals.

"I live right around here," she explains, "I'm still fresh from my shower and my babies are still satisfied after a healthy breakfast, so I'm not worried."

Jeanne Nantebuka, a mother of seven who lives in Kidaho business centre, talks about the benefits of Kamanyana Health Post in Cyanika.

Less than two years ago, Nantebuka, a mother of seven, used to trek long distances to get to Butaro Health Centre, Burera District Hospital or Mucaca Health Centre, which are all located far from her house.

Kamanyana Health Post was established in January 2021.

"It was a much-needed facility.  Not only do I get along with the health care providers here, but I also get treated and have my spouse or children treated without having to wake up very early, and travel to the far community health facilities," she says.

Nantebuka also gave birth to her youngest child at the same health post.

The health post has modern medical equipment that will facilitate service delivery.

The health posts, which are much more modest than health centres, are expected to deliver non-complicated births and other primary healthcare services.

Nantebuka's challenges were peculiar not unique to her; Burera residents living near the Uganda-Rwanda border would frequently travel to the neighbouring country to seek health care treatments that were otherwise unavailable or far from them.

Faustin Singirumukiza, a father of five children, feels the same way. He arrives a little after 1 p.m. with his eight-year-old kid for dental services.

"We understand we need to seek professional care for issues like tooth decay because traditional local remedies are so painful and not as effective," he continues, "but we used to be discouraged by the distance or a lack of dentists."

The main purpose of the establishment of Health posts per cell was to avail ophthalmology and dentistry services and to enforce maternity and antenatal care services.  

The reception, laboratory services, dental, outpatient diseases services, ophthalmology, postpartum room, minor surgery, delivery room, mini pharmacy, and cashier's office are all part of a standardized health post like Kamanyana's.

Acute respiratory disorders, eye diseases, intestinal parasites, dental issues, and bone and joint diseases are the most commonly treated diseases at Kamanyana health post, according to Julienne Imanishimwe, nurse and team leader. "The majority of the 60-100 patients we see each day are looking for treatments for these diseases," she says.

Julienne Imanishimwe,a nurse and team leader at Kamanyana health post talks to journalis on the role of having the health post .

Claudine Uwambajimana, a Nurse at Kabaya Health Post, agrees with Imanishimwe. "Patients are certainly pleased with these facilities, but they are supported even more by the fact that they are provided at a near-zero cost," she says.

Citizens in the D Ubudehe group who have mutuelle de santé insurance pay Rwf20, Rwf220 for those in the C Ubudehe group, and none at all for those in the E, last Ubudehe group. Ubudehe is a social stratification program based on income among households.

The types of equipment at Kabaya, Kamanyana, and other health posts across the country are provided based on the number of people they serve. However, more nurses and doctors are still required, and Imanishimwe emphasizes that they could use more space and resources in proportion to the number of people served by the posts.

Kamanyana Health Post will also provide ophthalmology and dentistry services.

Kamanyana Health Post was established in January 2021 in  Cyanika sector in Burera District. All Photos by Dan Nsengiyumva

A scientist conducts a loboratory test at the health Center

Claudine Uwambajimana, a nurse at Kabaya health post registering patients