In recent years, the Ministry of Health has made significant strides in fighting mental health disorders, one of the frequently cited health issues in the country.
According to Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), they continue to have very high levels of trauma and other psycho-social problems, mostly resulting from the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Dr William Rutagengwa, Director of ADEPR-Nyamata District Hospital, says the mental health issues negatively impact social cohesion and sustainable livelihoods.
Though Rwanda has a clear policy on addressing mental health, he says there is still a problem of low uptake of mental health services despite existing challenges of access in terms of infrastructure, human resource and facilities.
Health personnel attend to residents In Bugesera during the launch of the mobile clinic where people were screened for mental health disorders. Photos/Courtesy
This gap of access to mental health services, according to him, is partly caused by lack of knowledge on available services, fear of being victimised in society after one has visited a mental health facility, and long distance travel to reach the available centres.
Sylvester Twizerimana, a psychologist in Rubavu District, says that without adequate information, many people in society still associate mental health challenges with witchcraft.
He adds that this is a clear indication that many lack the information that allows them to know that mental illness is a condition that needs to be addressed, just like other health conditions.
"Lack of enough information also leads to stigma where the victims and those around them fear seeking help for fear of what society will say or think of them, which is a huge challenge as far as addressing mental health is concerned,” he says.
The Rwanda Mental Health Survey (RMHS) released by RBC in 2018 revealed that the prevalence of several mental disorders is higher than the global average and is particularly cited among Genocide survivors.
RMHS indicates that the level of awareness towards mental health services offered stands at 61.7 per cent, versus a 5.3 per cent utilisation rate.
Also, the survey indicated that the state of mental health in Rwanda showed that less than two per cent of the population has access to mental health services, leaving a large gap in reaching out to persons who need the services.
Mobile clinics
As one of the ways to curb this, last week, the Ministry of Health in partnership with Interpeace, an international organisation for peace-building, launched mental health mobile clinics in Bugesera District, Eastern Province to extend medical services to the public. The mobile clinic intends to carry out awareness campaigns across the district.
According to officials, this is an innovative and unique solution that will contribute to the achievement of the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1) and Rwanda’s Development Vision 2050, which consider good health and well-being of the population as a national priority.
Frank Kayitare, Great Lakes Regional Representative of Interpeace, says the service is equipped with a vehicle that will travel to communities across Bugesera District, handed over to ADEPR-church in the district.
It is also has other equipment including tablets, office furniture, stationery and mental health medical equipment.
"It aims at strengthening mental health service delivery in all health centres across Bugesera District. The clinic will conduct regular screenings of communities, health centres and public places including markets and referrals located in the district,” Kayitare says.
It will also help mental health professionals conduct clinical trial processes and provide home-based care to patients.
The mobile clinic is also equipped with a workstation for one doctor and one nurse, two passenger seats, internet connection, one foldable bed for use in emergencies (as an ambulance), and two large waterproof tent extensions attached to the body of the vehicle.
However, according to officials, access to mental health treatment is still a challenge due to capacity constraints and the reluctance of the population to utilise available services.